“I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.”

It’s hard to make the argument that that could mean capital gains taxes for anyone other than startup investors (not many startups I know invest in anything other than developing a product). But since this is politics, it best to read the fine print. Let me know if you find any more details. (I haven’t been able to, so far)

I don’t recall whether or not I was referring to one of your comments in the first point you make above. Suffice it to say that incrementalism is an often used tactic in politics. I think my point still valid.

The “mentioned startup?” link addresses Obama’s promise to eliminate capital gains taxes on startups and “small businesses.” Reconcile that, however, with the fact that he is increasing capital gains taxes on individuals making above $250k.

This is the main point of my original post: Where does START Atlanta and ATA want to get their seed and angel capital from? From a dude earning less than $250k? I think not.

I’d contend that all that the average Obama supporter heard were the words “start-up,” “cut,” and “capital gains tax.” They then collectively sighed in wonderment and did not drill down to better understand what was being offered.

Lastly, I am neither a R nor D, but a conservative. And, in this day and age I’ve not seen any conservative D’s. Hell, it’s hard enough to find one with an R after his name!

That’s quoted totally out of context. The full context was “EVEN IF taxes did increase later, OTHER aspects of an Obama’s (vs. McCain’s) platform will more than offset those potential future losses, and sooner than the taxes.”

IOW, life doesn’t let you conveniently focus on only one variable. Life has many interlocking variables and if you willingly deny the other variables you prove yourself to be no more evolved than the ostrich with its head in the sand.

@angus: “The employer still pays its half of FICA. The reader’s logic is further eroded as Obama promises to increase the dividend tax rate from 15% to 20%. On top of that capital gains taxes will go from 15% to 25%. There is no escape!”

I’ll give you I’m no tax expert, so I may well have had that wrong. But where is your acknowledgement of the Obama plan to eliminate capital gains on small businesses and startups? You’ve continued to ignore that point?

Bottom line, and trying to be respectful, it seems to me you simply believe in the Republican brand and institution and you distrust the Democrat brand and institution. If that’s right then all debate is moot anyway. Am I right, or would you potentially vote for a Democrat?

(FWIW, I’m an independent and *would* vote for a Republican over a Democrat if I respected their positions.)