Just like John Kerry, Tim O’Brien has revealed he is little more than a waffling politician whose stance on issues is made based on the votes it will gain him. In Tim O’Brien’s latest interview in the New Britain Herald, he said “A flat tax would be ideal.” Unfortunately he then went on to add “but until then a progressive tax that allows the richest in our communities to pay their fair share is the best alternative.” Does Tim O’Brien not realize that a progressive tax and a flat tax are polar opposites?
If Candidate O’Brien feels a flat tax is “ideal” then why did he push for an extremely progressive tax structure that would have increased the tax burden of successful New Britain residents? Why can’t O’Brien form a cohesive and consistent platform? Here is a short list of things O’Brien says he believes in or supports that are seemingly at odds.
- He believes a flat tax is ideal.
- He supports a progressive tax that will force people to pay a higher percentage of taxes when they happen to earn more.
- At the same time he believes in increasing the taxes on blighted properties so people who own such properties (either through neglect or the inability to maintain the property) will be forced to pay more taxes.
- He also believes in providing tax relief for seniors, despite the fact that most seniors are not being taxed out of their homes. (One may wonder what would happen to a senior who happened to live in a blighted property.)
- Despite his alleged dedication to lowering the tax burden for lower income families, he sought to eliminate the clothing tax exception for items under $50.
- Finally, despite his work to increase taxes on higher incomes while eliminating tax exemptions to benefit lower income families, he pledged to lower taxes for all citizens.
Whether O’Brien’s actions are a result of trying to pander for votes or from a genuine inability to form a cohesive platform, it shows that O’Brien is not the right candidate for Mayor of New Britain. There is a clear choice on November 3rd, and that choice is Team Stewart.
Maybe O’Brien should be presented a large bottle of maple syrup, to sweeten up his “waffles”. LOL
We have to love the democrats….. i really think that O’brian would be a great candidate for mayor in new britain…. Everyone running for something always promise things that they would never happen or intent to do….. Connecticut is a democrat state and we want a new governor that is democrat and new britain deserve a democrat mayeor…… YEAHHHH O’BRIAN and VERDU…. why the poor have to pay more than the rich…it should be equality or nothing ….. TUESDAY IS VOTE DAY…… O’BRIAN HAS THE SPANISH VOTE OF THE NEW BRITAIN COMMUNITY……
Edgar, a few things.
1. If you are for the poor paying less than the rich then O’Brien is not the candidate for you. He voted for taxes that would disproportionatly affect the poor over the rich, such as the increase to the cigarette tax, and voted to repeal tax exemptions that benefit lower income families, such as the exception on clothing items under $50. O’Brien was also a strong advocate of creating a progressive taxing system which would not be equality. By your own statements you have said that O’Brien is not the candidate for you.
2. If you are someone who does not own property your taxes under Mayor Stewart have gone down. He lowered the mill rate which means lower taxes on your car, and in fact many property owners so a decrease in their total taxes during the past 6 years and most of those who saw and increase saw a very modest one.
3. If you are insistant on voting for only Democrats or non-Republican candidates you can still elect several people from Row A including Marco Villa, Dwight Blint, Don Naples, Jason Gibson, and others.
However, I would like to thank for taking the time to read up on the candidate and post your thoughts.