Sunday, September 20, 2009

When is a Tax not a Tax?

Today on ABC News Obama finally got pushed a little by George Stephanopoulos on a question of Taxes. Like many politicians the word "tax" is to be avoided at all cost and they often try to disguise "taxes" anyway they can. Today, Obama got caught when George Stephanopoulos pulled out a Webster's Dictionary and read the defination. Obama quickly recovered from the unexpected attack by the ABC anchorman and came back with a somewhat pitiful response. On a personal note I met George Stephanopoulos many years ago at the home of his aunt in North Little Rock, Arkansas. His aunt had been a close friend of my mother in Hattiesburg, MS some years before. George was a young boy at the time about 13 years old. I only recall the meeting because of the name---difficult to pronounce. I have to give the youngest some credit for today's interview, although I'm not a fan.


Obama, Stephanopoulos Spar Over Definition of 'Tax'
In an interview airing Sunday, ABC News' George Stephanopoulos pressed the president on his plan to require people to purchase health insurance.

President Obama and ABC News' George Stephanopoulos got in a testy sparring match Sunday over whether the president's health care plan includes a tax increase, leading the host to look up the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of taxes.

In the interview airing Sunday, Stephanopoulos pressed the president on his plan to require people to purchase health insurance.

"Under this mandate, the government is forcing people to spend money, fining you if you don't. How is that not a tax?" the host asked.

Obama responded: " No, but -- but, George, you -- you can't just make up that language and decide that that's called a tax increase."

Stephanopoulos then offered the dictionary definition.

"I don't think I'm making it up. Merriam-Webster's dictionary: 'Tax, a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes,'" he said.

Visibly taken aback, Obama rejected the notion it was a tax increase and said pulling the dictionary out was a sign the host was "stretching" a little.

"No. That -- that's not true, George. The -- for us to say that you've got to take a responsibility to get health insurance is absolutely not a tax increase," Obama said.
read full story from FOX News

9 comments:

TexasFred said...

Well, I guess the left will denigrate Stephanopoulos now the way they do Beck...

He DARES to cause The Obamessiah a moment of embarrassment on national TV?

OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!

Actually, I AM surprised that Stephanopoulos hit him with it, when the MSM and some on the left can see through the Poser in Chief, well, it's all but game, set and match...

Didn't take too long either did it??

Ron Russell said...

Yep Fred, when some on the left begin to go after you it often signals a sea change.

Matt said...

Hmmm, lefty media throwing Obama under the bus??? Or, is it just trying to appear to be hard hitting? I dunno.

This goes to one of the catchphrases from my blog. When they do something, they do they same old lefty crap and CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE.

Right Truth said...

Is Stephanie Stephanopoulos a Southern boy or was he just visiting the South. Very interesting, I never knew that.

It's about time some in the MSM started asking some serious questions. We need to shine the light on them when they do. Thanks

A tax by any other name would still stink.

Deborah F. Hamilton
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com

Ron Russell said...

A rose by any other name is still a rose and crap by any other name is still just .........

Mr Pink Eyes said...

Sounds like Obama got blindsided, he never expected to be tested like that, the media is usually coddling him. Bravo to Stephanopoulos, I wonder if he will now be branded a racist.

lady di said...

What got in to George. Sorry, I would have liked to see that moment live>

Ron Russell said...

Lady di, even a blind hog will occasionally find a acorn---guess he wanted to make news, that is part of his job although he usually forgets it.

Freedom's Cost said...

I have no doubt Peanut Jimmah and New York Times Barbie Dowd, will now refer to Stephanopoulos as an outed closet racist