[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H5583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
A FAIR TAX PLAN
(Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, if Americans are looking for a
fair tax plan, they should be looking to the Democratic tax plan and
not the Republican tax plan. The Republican tax plan in the second 5
years explodes the deficit.
We just saw the figures from the Treasury which shows that in the
last 5 years, there is a second 5 years, over 50 percent of the
benefits go to people who are high income earners in this country. That
is not a fair tax plan. What we have to do is deliver a tax plan that
is fair to all Americans, that means people who are working as well.
I also want to compliment President Clinton because yesterday he
recognized and supported the notion of some sort of means testing for
Medicare. I thought that this was a brave, bold move because we have to
recognize that it is inevitable that in the years to come we are going
to have to make some changes to Medicare. We should not have the
hamburger flippers at McDonald's subsidizing those who have done very
well. I think that this is a change that is going to come and it is
best to be done through the IRS. It is best to be done in a worthwhile
fair manner.
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