In Kratovil’s latest attack on Andy Harris, a Salisbury family appears in living color shilling (shamelessly-?) for the Congressman. The ad proclaims that Andy Harris wants to impose a new sales tax, but does not point out that he wants to do so as part of a plan, currently pending in Congress, to repeal the federal income tax, employment tax and estate and gift tax and substitute in their place a 23% sales tax with a rebate for lower income families. The only part of the “Fair Tax Act” legislative package mentioned in Kratovil’s ad is the sales tax, which is misrepresented as being “Andy Harris’ unfair tax plan.”
The ad is mostly a series of obviously scripted sound bites spoken by unidentified persons who whine about the tax displayed above “Andy Harris: 23% Sales Tax”. According to Susan Tilghman it would “really make things unaffordable.” In a second quick take she says “I don’t know how we would manage.” Mark Tilghman remains silent throughout.
Either the Tilghmans were duped by Kratovil (or his PR firm) or their Salisbury law practice does not net enough for them to pay very much as income and employment taxes. Given their educational level and acumen, it’s very hard to believe that they think Andy Harris is proposing additional taxation or that no reduction of other taxes would occur as part of the plan. Mr. and Ms. Tilghman can explain what they actually think or understand about the matter by sending a message that will be posted on this blog.
The format and substance of the Kratovil ad is similar to ads that have been run by Democrat operatives in other states this year to falsely smear Republican candidates who support the Fair Tax Plan. A respected public watchdog group – FactCheck.org – has criticized those ads as “misleading,” which is putting it mildly. In this case, the ad is being run by Kratovil himself – he states at the end that “I approve this message.” Bad move, Frankie boy.
Mr. Kratovil should issue promptly a public apology to both Andy Harris and the residents of the First Congressional District for trying to smear him and scam them – and thereby spare Mr. and Ms. Tilghman the embarrassment of doing so. And Kratovil should fire whoever on his campaign staff talked him into copying a false and unfair ad that FactCheck has previously taken to the woodshed. And, if it was his idea, other action is appropriate.
[for information about the Fair Tax Plan see www.fairtax.org]
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
31 comments:
Kratovil has become a tool of the Democrat establishment, so I'll never vote for him again after this smear tactic. He should know better than to do this stuff on the Shore -- he grew up in PG County, which may explain why it has happened.
Joe:
How about doing an interview with Mr. & Ms. Tilghman on SNYNEWS so they can tell us why they would participate in this negative campaign tactic.
Problem is, those folks are right.
If he proposes a new tax but proposes others will be cut, what we'll get is the new tax and none of the cuts.
Also, I am acquainted with that couple.
For you to make them sound like rich lawyers and attack them is sickening.
They do a lot for the community so they don't haul in the big bucks like the ones that charge the big bucks, then blow their horns about how much they donated to the church.
If you got insult good family people like Mark and Susan Tilghman to make your political points, you are just as guilty of using them as political pawns as what you say Kratovil is doing.
Worse. Because Kratovil got their permission.
Love your blog (most of the time), but which of us regular folks is next on your hatchet path in the name of supporting your political candidate?
I saw that commercial last night and I was shocked to see Mark Tilghman and Susan. I am very disappointed in them. I expected better out of those two and I will never support them again.
The Fair Tax is the answer to this whole economic disaster that politicians have created. It is just a shame that this plan is mis-represented. If dumb americans would get informed and send people to washington that are there to serve not get wealthy. Do you have any idea how many people have become millionaires serving in washington? The Fair takes all of their power and returns it to the individual. Kratovil is history anyway so why spend honest people's money distorting Andy Harris's position. I am getting to a point where I don't think there are any honest politicians in government. Please give the Fair Tax some consideration.
well joe you answered the question in your piece. See they are lawyers, everyone knows 999 out of 1000 lawyers is a democrat. obama, his wife, both clintons, pelosi, reid, the list goes on and on!
Mr./Ms. 11:31 --
So it's OK for Frankie boy to use your Salisbury pals to smear Andy Harris, but Joe can't tell the truth about them doing it?
They were willing participants in the ad -- if they didn't know that the Kratovil campaign was going to use it in a fraudulent way, they can post something on SBYNEWS to state their position.
Nothing in the post throws any mud at Mr. or Ms. Tilghman, but simply states the facts. If they are harmed, it's their own fault.
"Frankie boy" (and Tilghmans):
You've been blogged!
Joe:
What about that local "businessman" who also spoke in the ad -- he's seen the last of my business with him.
I'm voting for Harris this time!
Wow I am shocked that any Jew would continue to support the Democrat party given the blatant anti-Semitism from that party, especially Obama.
Factcheck also did research on the AFT and their findings are that this is another way for the rich to spend less on taxes. The middle class would once again suffer. That is what they said about it. "It will collect more money from those earning between $15,000 and $200,000 per year and less from those earning more than $200,000 per year." Count me out.
Looks like Kratovil has learned a few tricks from Faux News.
I have spoken with the Tilghmans on a number of occasions. Clearly, they are highly intelligent, as are their four sons. I don't understand, given their education, how they can take part in the Kratovil ad even if they are Democrats. They must know that the "23% sales tax" is taken out of context and is a distortion of the truth.
I hope that this year's matchup between Kratovil and Harris will not include so many negative ads as did the '08 campaign. While I am a devoted Republican, I could only be lukewarm in my support of Harris. His anti-Kratovil ads in '08 turned me off.
Anon 12:20, did you type the wrong numbers by mistake or are you ignorant of all the Republican lawyers out there?
Undo the existing taxes FIRST - then put a plan like this in place.
Just like one commenter stated - we go with this and the old ones don't get chopped - then we have a HUGE tax problem. Every one of us!
The plan looks fine but it could also ruin ALL of us!
3:01
You folks never cease to amaze me. List what you consider to be falsehoods by Fox. Anyone can make false claims, but have the stones to tell us what lies Fox puts out.
The Seidel sisters are making quite an impact on Salisbury. Maybe the books of the Colbourn Woods Homewoners association should be audited.
Your post, Joe, sounds like G. A. Harrison wrote it. I agree with the post by 11:31. Shame on you for slamming the Tilghmans for supporting their preferred candidate. You yourself spare nothing in supporting yours.
Anonymous said...
Joe:
What about that local "businessman" who also spoke in the ad -- he's seen the last of my business with him.
1:28 PM
Who is the local businessman? We all would like to know.
Mr. & Ms. Tilghman:
WHY?
4:44- watch the ad!
I have not seen it yet, but someone said it's a car dealer from Worcester County.
This commercial is insulting to anyone with any intelligence at all. Kratovil must be scraping the bottom of the barrel for support.
4:32-
The Tilghmans were spotlighted for participating in a false and misleading ad, not for "supporting their preferred candidate."
They were not smeared in any way, shape or form in the post. As previously stated, they decided of their own free will to associate with a dog that has fleas.
11:31 and 4:32 ---
If your friends the Tilghmans want to send Joe a post, I'm sure it will be presented. They can tell us why they did this ridiculous (and fraudulent) attack ad by a desparate Democrat.
PS - In another 6 weeks the curtain comes down on "Frankie Boy" as a congressman. If you listen carefully that's the "fat lady" warming up in the wings.
3:58 yeah I know a few republican lawyers, very few! ABA supports mainly demoncrats! Just so happens the vast majority of lawyers I have had the pleasure of meeting are mainly demoncrats and personally I think they are nothing more than parasites. Think about this 500 years ago Shakespeare said the first thing we ought to do is kill all the lawyers, What have all those solicitors done for us in the last 500 years? especially the ones in power in washington for the last 40years.
My parents were not in any way misled as to what the "Fair Tax" was, nor I believe that anyone could think that such a tax would be done without decreases in other taxes.
I think that the issue is that you would have to have less knowledge of economics than an average college freshman to think that taxing consumption would be good for anyone, and this add primarily serves to show that Harris does not have anywhere near the knowledge or good sense to be a congressman.
Even those who are already quite wealthy would have to find the effects on society somewhat bothersome, as the businesses they used to patronize went under left and right and they had to pass through Harrisvilles on the way to work filled with the poor, dirty wretches who used to be businesspeople.
Well said, young man.
BTW 6:10, I am 4:32 and am not a friend of the Tilghmans. I met them briefly once in a public setting, but do not have the good fortune to have them as friends. Furthermore, it is your right to dislike the ad, but it was neither "false" nor "fraudulent."
As an Independent, I have to laugh at Republican tripe like this, saying that ad is fraudulent. You guys sic'd the likes of Karl Rove on the world and you want to call the Dems fraudulent?
Don't worry, I've got my gripes with the Dems, too.
What I find funny about this post is, you've got a got posting someone else's work under his name, no one else credited, claiming fraud about somebody else.
On this one, I'll take Kratovil. Harris is so far out there, Sarah Palin can see him from Alaska.
Dear Joe:
In answer to your rhetorical headline - we were not duped. Susan and I are strong supporters of Frank Kratovil, not because he is a Democrat, but because he is a good man who earnestly and capably represents our district. We previously supported Wayne Gilchrest for the same reasons. We were not paid to endorse Frank Kratovil, as you have falsely asserted, and our comments were not scripted. We were asked questions about Frank Kratovil and the “fair tax” proposal which Dr. Harris endorses on his website. The television ad accurately reflects Susan’s concerns regarding the “fair tax.” Our only regret is that the ad did not include the many good things we had to say about Frank Kratovil.
Susan and I do not know Dr. Harris, and we would not publicly criticize him. We do, however, strongly disagree with the “fair tax” which he supports as an alternative to the current tax system. Before Frank Kratovil’s ad, many people had never heard of the “fair tax,” and if they had, they certainly did not understand its potential impact. To the extent that the television ad has opened a dialogue on this subject, it will encourage people to educate themselves and to more clearly understand where Frank Kratovil and Dr. Harris differ on this important issue.
Your call for an apology from Frank Kratovil is unfounded. It is not possible to explain all of the nuances of a proposed federal tax in a 30 second commercial. The tax endorsed by Dr. Harris is, in fact, a 23% sales tax. Unlike other sales taxes, however, the “fair tax” applies to the purchase of almost all goods and services, including health care expenses. The “fair tax” is not fair. While the tax might be beneficial to those who are prosperous, healthy, and free to choose how they will spend their money, it will not benefit those who need costly medicines or expensive home healthcare. It also hurts parents who struggle to provide medical and dental care for their children.
I found the FactCheck.org article to which you referred. Interestingly, the article describes the “fair tax” as “highly controversial,” and points out that, in 2005, President Bush’s Advisory Panel On Federal Tax Reform was critical of the “fair tax” and “concluded that ‘middle-income Americans would pay a larger share of the federal tax burden’ under the proposal.” That same article referred its readers to an earlier article entitled “Unspinning the Fair Tax.” The earlier article, also by FactCheck.org (an organization which you describe as a “respected public watchdog group”) concluded that the “fair tax”
"is not a 23% tax, but rather a 30% tax. And it is revenue-neutral only through an accounting trick. It will collect more money from those earning between $15,000 and $200,000 per year, and less from those earning more than $200,000 per year."
Susan and I were amused by your mistaken assumption that because we are lawyers, we would benefit by the passage of the “fair tax” and welcome Dr. Harris’ support of it. I would still like to believe that some people, especially our representatives, can look beyond self-interest. Yes, Joe, we understand the “fair tax.” We understand that Dr. Harris supports this proposed tax, and we understand that it would hurt most residents of our congressional district.
Mark Tilghman
May I suggest posting Mark's response as a separate article? This posting is on page 3 of your site...many of the people who weighed in yesterday will not see the response unless they go looking.
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