In Newsweek, George Will proposes  a series of 12 questions to Obama. Many (most) of the questions were inane attempts a gotchas, but there were a few of them I would like to discuss, mainly because I don't like their mime - they're pushing lies of the "we all know" variety.

Question:

• During the ABC debate, you acknowledged that when the capital gains rate was dropped first to 20 percent, then to 15 percent, government revenues from the tax increased and they declined in the 1980s when it was increased to 28 percent. Nevertheless, you said you would consider raising the rate "for purposes of fairness." How does decreasing the government's financial resources and punishing investors promote fairness? Are you aware that 20 percent of taxpayers reporting capital gains in 2006 had incomes of less than $50,000?

The interesting thing about that statement is that 20% of taxpayers reporting capital gains make less than $50K sounds a lot like 20% of capital gains taxes are paid by taxpayers earning less than $50K. But they are not the same thing at all, and Will's question is irrelevant on its face. This is the same rhetorical device Bush used when he claimed that the majority of his tax cuts went to middle income and working people. A true but meaningless statement. The cuts went to the people but the money went to the rich. The  same is true of capital gains and dividend taxes.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds that middle-class American taxpayers reporting capital gains and dividend income derive very little monetary benefit because the vast majority of that income is concentrated among the wealthy. The Tax Policy Center estimates that 83 percent of total capital gains goes to the highest-income 5 percent of U.S. households.

According to the Tax Policy Center, the average household in the middle of the income spectrum received $20 from the 2003 capital gains and dividend tax cuts.  The average household earning over $1 million received $32,000, or 1,600 times as much.

So can we rephrase or at least append the last part of your question, Mr Will? Are you aware that 20 percent of taxpayers reporting capital gains in 2006 had incomes of less than $50,000, and they each saved about 20 bucks off their taxes? Isn't that wonderful?

Question:

• You favor eliminating the cap on earnings subject to the 12.4 percent Social Security tax, which now covers only the first $102,000. A Chicago police officer married to a Chicago public-school teacher, each with 20 years on the job, have a household income of $147,501, so you would take another $5,642 from them. Are they undertaxed? Are they rich?

No, George, they're not rich. You are. They're not stupid, either. How about you? FICA taxes are on individual income up to $102,000. Unless the cop or the teacher makes over that amount, they already pay FICA tax on every cent they earn working. Unlike you, Mr. Will. How early in the year do you stop paying FICA? March? February? January?

Question:

  • You denounce President Bush for arrogance toward other nations. Yet you vow to use a metaphorical "hammer" to force revisions of trade agreements unless certain weaker nations adjust their labor, environmental and other domestic policies to suit you. Can you define cognitive dissonance?

Can you define cognitive disability? Let's see, one the one hand we have Shock & Awe delivered against a third rate, third world dictator by the most powerful military machine the world has ever known. On the other hand we have the "metaphorical hammer" to negotiate with two of our largest trading partners. Why there's scarcely a hair's difference between the two.

Oy what  a schmuck!

And last but not least, he asks :

• You want "to reduce money in politics." In February and March you raised $95 million. See prior question.

This has got to be my favorite. For years the Republicans have shouted from the roof tops that MONEY EQUALS FREE SPEECH. But now that somebody has come along with the ability to raise a lot of money from the people at large rather than special interest donors who only give with strings attached, that old right wing mantra doesn't ring so well, does it, MR Will?

You Republicans pooled your corporate resources to buy your way into control. Now it's our turn. Now the people are pooling their resources to buy you out - to drive all of you corrupt corporatist bastards out of our Government. First we have to disinfect. Then we'll work on public campaign finance and getting all of the special interest money out of our elections..

And finally,

But coming next, questions for John McCain.

Oh, gee, I can't wait.