Delaware debate: A pathological problem on taxes

CNN’s coverage of Delaware’s Senate race debate was definitely one to watch as
a keen microcosm of the larger issues facing voters this November.

Yes, the candidates, Democrat Chris Coons and Republican/Tea Partier Christine O’Donnell,
were a bit quirky at first in their responses. If you watched, you saw both
looking stiff, pale and downright canned in their answers.

Coons especially looked as though, no matter the question, he was going to give
you the lines his team concocted the night before. At a time when Delaware voters
are fired up, mad as hell and ready for some straight talk, I’m sure Coons’s
responses were about as flat as a desert road.

But OK, that’s to be expected for most debates. What bothers me are the
responses of, and therefore the insights into, the candidates. O’Donnell’s
thoughts on questions surrounding Afghanistan lacked any serious command of the
situation on the ground. Coons clearly and correctly pointed out the corruption
of the current Karzai government and its raw ineptitude. However, his party’s
president continues to prop up and support that same government, so I’m not
sure how he can play both sides of this topic and not run counter to Obama or
appeal to his base.

Where Coons failed miserably was once again on the economy and taxes. Statements
such as tax cuts simply “cost” the federal government too much and add to our
deficit are such pathetic, inside-Washington pabulum. Only a liberal who would
rather spend tax dollars in the Federal City would see money leaving Washington
as a “cost.” Ridiculous.

Why does the left insist tax dollars first belong inside the IRS? Yes, tax cuts
mean Washington can’t spend as much as it wants. But instead of offsetting that
absence of funds with less spending, Democrats complain they have less money to
pay down the debt. And they expect you to buy that line. Do you see how
circular and plain stupid that argument is? “Give me more, and I’ll spend
it, deficit be damned. Give me less, and I’ll complain I can’t pay down the
deficit.” Coons’s response betrays a pathological problem for Democrats
this year. And only major losses will cure them of said illness.

Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.