I’ve been writing a lot this year about the upcoming Congressional election. It’s important for a number of reasons not the least of which is the sheer number of seats up for grabs. In the middle of all of this red versus blue, liberal versus conservative, Dems versus GOP, it can be difficult to sort through the issues and figure out what the candidates are actually saying. That’s why I’m re-introducing my popular “Tax Talk” feature just in time for election season.
I’ve issued the same six tax-related questions to all of the candidates running for a Congressional seat. That’s right, all of them. Well, except for those without websites (are you as gobsmacked about this as I am?) and those that made contacting them sort of difficult – I’m still working on those contacts.
Over the next month or so, I hope to present the candidates’ responses to the following six questions:
- What’s the single most important tax issue facing Americans today?
- If you could only make one “quick fix” in terms of an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?
- Which is a more egregious tax on the American public: the AMT or the federal estate tax?
- It has been suggested that the IRS should be eliminated. Do you believe that this makes sense, and if you do, what would you establish in its place?
- Do you think that significant tax cuts are possible considering the current state of the economy?
- And just for fun, if Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
I’m hoping for interesting, thoughtful replies. Keep watching the blog to see if your candidate weighs in!
Do you think that you’ll get a large response? When I write to my Congress people it takes quite a while to get a form letter back – actually the form letter mentions what I wrote about. Thoughtful answers from a Congressperson when you’re not their constituent…… I wonder
Mary Kay, it didn’t even cross my mind that I wouldn’t get a good measure of response. This is an important election and I think folks realize it. In fact, I finished sending out my requests on yesterday and before day’s end, had one response already and one commitment. I expect many more. It only takes a few minutes to get your message out so personally, I would interpret the failure to reply as choosing not to be heard.
I also don’t think of myself as a constituent in this event. I consider myself media. I have a fairly broad audience in terms of my readership and the blog’s exposure – I think it can only help a candidate. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of an opportunity like this?