Club for Growth defends Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan

From: Washington Times

The influential anti-spending Club for Growth defended Republican presidential contender Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan against attacks from his GOP rivals, saying that those who warn the federal sales tax component would simply hand Congress another way to levy taxes on citizens "miss the mark."

"Of course a future Congress could raise taxes above the 9 percent levels, but under our current monstrosity of a tax system, Congress already can raise taxes at any time and often has," said Chris Chocola, president of the Club for Growth. "It is on a path to do so yet again next year with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts."

Mr. Cain's plan, he said, may not be perfect, but "it is a truly revolutionary tax reform that would amount to a massive job creating tax cut on investments, savings and income."

"Instead of tearing down ideas that would create economic growth and jobs, the other Republican presidential candidates should produce their own plans to achieve a flatter and more growth-oriented tax code," Mr. Chocola said.

Mr. Cain's plan vows to eliminate taxes on capital gains and dividends, combined with the proposed reductions in corporate and income tax rates would "create an unparalleled economic boom," Mr. Chocola said.