Zeldin Slams Largest Tax Increase in American History

MASTIC, NY (03/17/2008)(readMedia)-- The endorsed Republican candidate for New York’s First Congressional District today expressed sincere disappointment with Congress’ recently passed, Bishop-approved budget.

Running an independent campaign addressing the high cost of living on Long Island for seniors and young families, GOP Candidate Lee Zeldin slammed members of Congress, including his opponent, Congressman Tim Bishop, for supporting THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

“Choosing where to begin when attacking this budget is difficult,” said Zeldin. “Rescinding the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, adding spending hikes and setting the table for future irresponsible governance all foretell the sad reality of how the status quo in Congress hurts Long Island families. If the tax cuts expire, the cost of living on Long Island would irrefutably rise.”

Some of the (low) lights Americans can expect courtesy of the budget passed on Thursday in the House of Representatives include:

•Increases in marginal tax rates; elimination of the 10-percent bracket for lower-income taxpayers; and raising taxes on marriage, children, small businesses, estates and investments;

•An astonishing 8.8-percent ($82 billion) year-to-year increase in total nonemergency discretionary spending; and

•16 "reserve funds" that call for at least $100 billion in additional spending increases, to be offset with either savings or - as is far more likely - higher taxes.

“Perhaps the most egregious failure of the budget is not what it contains but what it fails to accomplish,” said Zeldin, noting that Congress financed nearly $15 billion in pet projects last year alone. Zeldin will champion responsible and transparent governance and supports a moratorium on earmarks. “The fact that the ostriches filling the halls of the Capitol stick their heads in the sand when the subject of earmark reform is up for debate is offensive. Give up the pork already.”

Zeldin also reiterated a campaign-long refrain, expressing concern about his opponent’s unyielding loyalty to party leadership, who votes with Nancy Pelosi’s misguided agenda 98.8% of the time—often to the detriment of the people and communities of the First Congressional District.

“My opponent has commented about the challenges tied to his position in getting things done as, ‘only one of 435 members of Congress,’” said Zeldin. “He has admitted that he is still suffering from a learning curve, even in 2008, over 5 years after first taking office. While a leader should never utter such excuses in the first place, this argument goes out of the window when you consistently follow the herd and consistently vote the wrong way!

“The homeowners, young families and seniors of Eastern Long Island have enough of a burden living on Long Island that we cannot accept an elected official who votes against our best interests. The Congressional Representative of the First Congressional District must always vote down tax increases.”

Zeldin served as an aide to State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. The Shirley resident studied at the University at Albany, graduated from Albany Law School, and earned his commission through Army ROTC. He was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. In the summer of 2006, he was a JAG attorney deployed to Iraq. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island.

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For more information on Lee’s campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress