Arizona Taxpayer Plans to Take Complaints to U.S. Senate

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While everyone complains about income taxes, one Arizona taxpayer is doing something about it: he's running for John McCain's Senate seat. Jerry Joslyn recently joined the Green Party. He believes Democrats and Republicans have created a tax system that is far too complicated, and grossly unfair to middle-class Americans. "Tax breaks and loopholes are 100 times worse than earmarks when it comes to out-of-control budget deficits," says Joslyn, "and both major parties are guilty of cutting special deals for special interests."

Joslyn will announce his candidacy, and his new tax plan on tax day, Thursday, April 15th. Under Joslyn's plan every taxpayer would get one $20,000 deduction and be taxed 24% on all income above that. That's it, no payroll tax, capital gains tax or estate tax. "Today," says Joslyn, "the richest Americans enjoy a lower tax rate than the middle class. That's not the way it was supposed to work; the Bush tax cuts were supposed to be across the board".

Warren Buffet, the third richest person on earth revealed that he earned $46 million in 2007 and paid 17.7 % of that in taxes. Meanwhile Buffet's secretary earned $60,000 and paid 30%. The average tax rate among Buffet's office staff was 32.8%. "Twenty-five hedge fund managers made an average of $1 billion dollars each last year and paid the 15% capital gains rate," says Joslyn. "Meanwhile mutual fund managers, who do the same job, get taxed at regular rates. Congress retains the loophole because hedge fund managers are very generous with their political contributions."

"It's a shell game," says Joslyn. "Capital gains and inheritance are taxed at low rates. Those who mine investments or family fortunes have struck gold in the current tax system. The rest of us have gotten the shaft. "

But wouldn't most middle-class taxpayers pay more if their tax rate jumped to 24%? "No," says Joslyn. "The average family income in Arizona is around $55,000. With a husband and wife both getting a $20,000 exemption they would pay 24% of $15,000, or $3,600 under my plan. With the 7.5% payroll tax they now pay at least 50% more."

Joslyn figures that his tax plan would raise enough revenue to balance the budget and help small businesses recover from the recession. "I think I'm the only one in this race with two decades of experience as a small business owner. If this is a 'jobless recovery' it won't be a recovery at all. Small businesses provide over two-thirds of Arizona jobs. The payroll tax is a direct tax on jobs. Eliminating it would lower the cost of labor and increase the number of jobs. John McCain supports a suspension of the payroll tax; I support its elimination. He would pay for his temporary fix by more government borrowing. I would pay for it by taxing all income equally."

Green party candidates don't accept contributions from corporations or political action committees. So how does Joslyn plan to campaign against McCain, who has already raised over $15 million? "I'm doing a 21st-century version of the 'front porch campaign,'" he says. Every weekday Joslyn will post a video from his back porch on his site, http://JoslynforSenate.com.

"Half of all Arizona households either have someone who is unemployed, or uninsured, or a mortgage that's underwater. That's what matters and that's what I'll talk about. If voters focus on what matters, I can't lose."

    
    
    Contact: 
    
    Jerry Joslyn
    Joslyn for Senate 
    10105 E. Via Linda #103-302 
    Scottsdale, AZ 85258
    [email protected]   
    (480) 220-3642 
    (602) 380-9083

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Joslyn for Senate