| In typically "diplomatic" fashion, and to try and stem the tide of people calling his class warfare just what it is, the Governor sent out a "fact sheet" that was purported to "rebut the overheated rhetoric" and dispel the so-called "myths" about Chirstie's war-on-everyone-not-filthy-rich budget.
The problem, of course, is that the "myths" weren't really myths and the "facts" were cherrypicked pieces of data that, in some instances, even confirmed the so-called "myths".
You can read the whole thing at the link above, but I'll go quickly through the four "Myth/Facts" below:
"Fact" 1 - Christie will not accept a budget that increases taxes. Of course this cites the Tax Foundation rankings, which award winning economist Paul Krugman recently cited as "not a reliable source", and mentions that there will not be a tax increase on hospitals. However, as we recently pointed out, there are tax increases all over the state as a result of Christie's actions and proposals.
"Myth" 2 - There isn't real shared sacrifice in the budget when the rich are getting a tax break. Citing Forbes and the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council to point out how (SHOCKING...) raising taxes on small businesses will kill the economy. However, the very fact that the rich ARE getting a tax break while everyone else is getting tax hikes and service cuts is, by definition, a lack of shared sacrifice. It doesn't matter whether Christie is answering a different question - he is declaring that the super rich are more deserving of a tax break while everyone else is more deserving of a tax hike.
"Myth" 3 - This budget means the largest property tax increase in history. This is hardly a myth, despite any tinkering around the edges or proposed Constitutional amendment. If Christie didn't combat the claim that Corzine raised the sales tax by 16% with a one-cent increase, then Christie has to own up to the fact that eliminating the property tax rebates is precisely the largest property tax increase in history. There is no denying it - at least not with any basis in reality.
"Myth" 4 - This budget is an assault on the middle class and seniors. This is an undeniable fact, regardless of a few bullet points that Christie can point to. I have written about this on more than one occasion, repeatedly citing just how many ways this budget is a flat out assault on the middle class and seniors (of course, I am far from alone there).
I guess when Christie said during the campaign that he went to law school because he wasn't very good at math, he didn't realize that he also didn't know the difference between a fact and a "fact". |
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