Voinovich: We need to raise taxes

Gongwer News Service, which covers all things Columbus, filed this report:

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich said Wednesday an increase in federal taxes is necessary in order to deal with an array of serious fiscal and infrastructure challenges that face the nation.

Voinovich (R-Cleveland) delivered his assessment during an appearance before a regional planning forum in Columbus.

"We're in a global marketplace, right? Why are things so expensive today? Why is steel so expensive?" the former governor said.

"How can America survive when half the kids in the urban districts are dropping out of school? How can America survive if we're just letting our rivers and bridges and roads go to pot, and not dealing with some of the ... things that need to be taken care of?" Sen. Voinovich said. "I don't know where the price of gas is going to go."

The state's senior senator said Americans should understand that the nation could not continue doing things the way they have been done in the past.

"We're going to have to raise more money in this country. Did you hear me? We're going to have to increase taxes in order to do the job," Sen. Voinovich said. "Anyone that tells you that's not the case isn't being truthful with you. They're not being intellectually honest with you."

That Gongwer report prompted Ohio's Democratic party today to issue this statement:

COLUMBUS - In a dramatic slap in the face to John McCain, Ohio's top Republican has called for higher federal taxes, stating that "we're going to have to increase taxes" and "anyone that tells you that's not the case isn't being truthful with you." Voinovich's remarks at yesterday's Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission forum have exposed Senator McCain's dramatic "read my lips" tax pledge for what it is, an outright lie.

"We're going to have to raise more money in this country. Did you hear me? We're going to have to increase taxes in order to do the job," Sen. Voinovich said. "Anyone that tells you that's not the case isn't being truthful with you. They're not being intellectually honest with you. [Gongwer News Service, 3/19/2008]

Senator McCain took the tax pledge in February, vowing "no new taxes" under any circumstances in a slew of high-profile television interviews.

John McCain's 'maverick' image has been dismantled by months of publicly pandering to the far right and reversing himself on critical issues ranging from taxes to illegal immigration.

"Ohio's top Republican is calling John McCain a liar when it comes to taxes, and why shouldn't he?" said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern. "After all, McCain plans to spend 100 years in Iraq, and just the first five years have cost America more than $2 trillion."