Embedded With the Harris Campaign--the Tax Issue

One of the more interesting political races this year is that between U.S. Representative Katherine Harris, R-Fla., and Democrat Bill Nelson. Having embedded myself with the Harris campaign over the last couple of days has revealed an interesting perspective on Congresswoman Harris with regard to U.S. tax policy. Harris believes in a complete overhaul of the U.S. tax code while her opponent would repeal the Bush tax cuts of 2002 and 2003 and continue with the tax-and-spend attitude that most Democrats exhibit.

Katherine Harris' rise to political prominence is quite an intriguing story. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Upon completing her education she returned to her home state of Florida and embarked upon her political career which took her first to the State Senate where she served until being elected as Florida's Secretary of State. From there she went on the run for the U.S. House of Representatives, easily defeating her opponent, and serving the 13th Congressional district with distinction. She hopes that her next stop will be the U.S. Senate.

Harris' campaign has been plagued from the start by troubled waters. Neither President Bush nor Governor Bush believed that she could overcome the popularity of Bill Nelson. The conventional wisdom was that Harris could not win, and thus, the Republican Party supported Harris' opponent in the Republican primary. Harris defeated her opponent and became the Republican standard-bearer for the U.S. Senate seat for which she is now campaigning. Early polls showed her lagging behind Bill Nelson, however, recent polls show the race tightening significantly. Harris is no slouch on the campaign trail. And with her steadfast views on tax cuts and the overhaul of the tax code, she may well garner enough support to win this race.

There is no doubt that the Bush tax cuts have helped the U.S. economy. These cuts have spurred long-term growth similar to the Reagan tax cuts of the 80s. A strong case can be made that the economic boom of the 90s was the direct result of the Reagan tax cuts of the 80s. Short-term deficits usually pale in comparison to the longterm economic growth created by easing the tax burden on American citizens. This is why Harris supports making the Bush tax cuts permanent. These cuts are due to expire in 2010. Bill Nelson is on record for supporting the end to those cuts. Harris would make them permanent, which is the only prudent course.

Obviously, though, this is not enough. Harris recognizes the need for a longterm solution to the overwhelming burden of the present U.S. Tax Code, which is fraught with confusing, contradictory, and unfair provisions for which our citizens pay dearly. The Congresswoman would call for a complete overhaul of the U.S. Tax Code in addition to making the Bush tax cuts permanent.

As I have been saying all along, America is long overdue a complete, massive change in our system of taxation. Harris agrees. She has not at this point indicated which plan she supports, however. There are many good choices, such as a national sales tax, a flat tax, or the 'fair tax.' My view is that the Income Tax needs to be abolished. Harris has stopped short of calling for such a thing, yet her belief in a complete overhaul of the present tax system is a major step in the right direction.

Florida voters have a clear choice to make. Bill Nelson has made it clear he is just another big government, tax-and-spend Democrat who never met a tax he didn't like, regardless of how 'likeable' he may be as a person. Katherine Harris, on the other hand, recognizes the heavy-handedness of the IRS and the present tax code and would take prudent steps to change it.

The state of Florida and the nation as a whole will be much better off with Katherine Harris in the U.S. Senate.