Dole Claims Clinton Tax Plan Aimed At Controlling Behavior Candidate Says President Wants To Dictate How Americans Spend Money

Bob Dole on Saturday denounced President Clinton’s proposals for a modest and targeted series of tax cuts, asserting that they were designed to reward only Americans who are “engaging in some kind of behavior that Bill Clinton deems acceptable.”

“Not only does President Clinton have hundreds of ideas of how the government can take and spend more of your money, he also wants to dictate how you should spend what’s left,” Dole said in remarks prepared for his radio address.

Dole’s comments were designed both to highlight his own tax-cut plan and to belittle the tax cuts that Clinton has proposed in response. Dole’s proposed $548 billion tax cut would consist mainly of an across-the-board reduction of 15 percent in income taxes.

Clinton’s proposed tax-relief program would total $110 billion and include tax credits, deductions and exemptions covering home ownership, college tuition and the cost of raising children.

“He says we can’t afford to cut your taxes by 15 percent,” Dole said, responding to Clinton’s attack on his plan. “Instead, he is proposing a series of small, targeted tax cuts. In other words, if you are engaging in some kind of behavior that Bill Clinton deems acceptable, then he will let you keep a little more of your money.”

Dole returned to the tax-cut theme Saturday amid indications in public polls that the proposal had not provided him the kind of electoral lift for which he had his aides had hoped. Dole has devoted most of the past week to discussing the tax cut and trying to rebut accusations from the White House that he had not explained how he could do it without making cuts in popular programs.

Dole again asserted that he had, with projections of economic growth and general suggestions of spending cuts, accounted for how he could finance the tax cut and still balance the budget.

“Balancing the budget and cutting taxes is simply a matter of presidential will,” Dole said. “If you have it, you can do it. I have it, and I will do it.”

Dole’s proposed tax cuts over six years would include a reduction in the capital gains tax to 14 percent from 28 percent. He has also proposed a $500-a-child tax credit.

Clinton has proposed tax deductions to cover college tuition, the elimination of taxes on some profits from home sales and a $500-a-child tax credit.

Dole reminded his listeners Saturday that Clinton had promised a tax cut for the middle class the last time he ran for president, which he backed away from after taking office. Clinton went on to propose a tax increase, designed to help close the budget deficit. “I don’t make promises lightly,” Dole said.