Clarification: Romney-Ryan White House Would be Robin Hood in Reverse

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a clarification statement from Americans for Tax Fairness Action, followed by the updated release:

Dear Journalist:

Please note that we want to clarify a news release about the Romney-Ryan ticket that we sent to you this morning.

Americans for Tax Fairness Action is a project organized under 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code and is separate from the Americans for Tax Fairness coalition, which is a project organized under 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. The 140 organizations that comprise the Americans for Tax Fairness membership are separate and distinct from Americans for Tax Fairness Action; Americans for Tax Fairness and most of its members do not engage in political activity and do not take positions in support or opposition of political candidates. Any references to Americans for Tax Fairness Action should not make any association between the coalition that comprises American for Tax Fairness and ATF Action. Therefore, please note that below is the corrected, revised version of our news release, which deletes the reference to the coalition. We apologize for the confusion.

Romney-Ryan White House Would be Robin Hood in Reverse

Budget Plans Give $250K+ Breaks to Millionaires, Raise Taxes on Middle Class

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Romney-Ryan White House would be a dream for the richest 1 percent of Americans who are millionaires, but an economic nightmare for the vast majority of middle-class and lower-income Americans, according to Americans for Tax Fairness Action.

"A Romney-Ryan White House would be Robin Hood in reverse, and that's not the kind of America we want to live in," said Frank Clemente, campaign manager for Americans for Tax Fairness Action. "Both of their budget plans would lavish the richest 1 percent of Americans who make over $1 million with yearly tax breaks of at least $250,000, while raising taxes on 95 percent of Americans who make less than $200,000. Politicians stacking the deck in favor of their wealthy campaign contributors and sticking the rest of us with the tab is not right."

"We need to overhaul the tax code so that it reflects our values, and so everyone plays by the same rules and pays their fair share," added Clemente. "That's why we should end tax breaks for companies like those that Bain Capital invests in that ship jobs overseas, and level the playing field for small businesses that create jobs in America. We should end tax breaks for the rich like Mitt Romney who use offshore tax shelters in places like the Cayman Islands to avoid paying the taxes they owe, so they can pay a lower tax rate than the teachers who educate our kids."

Romney's tax plan, which would make the Bush tax cuts permanent, including for the richest 2 percent, and cut the top income tax rate by another 20 percent, would give people making over $1 million in 2013 a net tax cut of over $250,000, according to a new analysis by Citizens for Tax Justice. Romney's tax plan would increase taxes by an average of $2,000 on families making less than $200,000 a year, according to a new report by the Tax Policy Center (see page 6).

Ryan authored the House budget that also would make the Bush tax breaks permanent, including those for the richest 2 percent, and cut by 30 percent both the corporate income tax rate and the top tax rate paid by the wealthiest Americans. It would give the richest Americans a tax break of nearly $300,000, while raising taxes on a typical household earning between $50,000 and $100,000 and filing jointly by over $1,350, according to the Joint Economic Committee. It also would end the Medicare guarantee and requires seniors to pay $6,000 more per year for fewer benefits than they get now, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation Program on Medicare Policy.

Americans for Tax Fairness Action is a 501c4 organization that is separate from the Americans for Tax Fairness coalition, which is a 501c3 organization The 140 organizations that comprise the ATF membership are separate and distinct from Americans for Tax Fairness Action. Any references to ATF action should not make any association between the coalition that comprises ATF and ATF Action.

SOURCE Americans for Tax Fairness Action