The Wellstone Economic Record:
Bigger Government, Higher Taxes, Less Trade, and More Welfare
Paul Wellstone believes in less personal freedom and more
government, and this 1960s liberal approach has driven Paul Wellstone to
vote consistently for increased government spending, higher taxes,
restricted international trade, and greater welfare spending.
This liberal economic agenda stands far outside the Minnesota
mainstream. In fact, on many critical economic issues -- like welfare
reform, NAFTA, and GATT -- Paul Wellstone advocates views rejected by
President Clinton.
The following summary of Paul Wellstone's record reveals a
philosophy out of touch with common-sense Minnesota values:
Paul Wellstone: The Senate's Biggest Spender
The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) ranked Paul Wellstone the
biggest spender in the United States Senate.
Paul Wellstone cast the deciding vote against the Balanced-Budget
Amendment. He also voted against term limits, the line-item veto, and
multiple "budget-freeze" plans.
Paul Wellstone cast the two deciding votes for the 1993 spending and
tax increases.
Paul Wellstone: 48 Votes to Raise Taxes
Paul Wellstone voted against the 1995 tax cut. Wellstone has voted
at least 48 times to increase taxes on Minnesotans.
Paul Wellstone twice cast the deciding vote in favor of the
largest tax increases in American history and still maintains that it
was the right thing to do.
Paul Wellstone voted five times to increase taxes on seniors'
pensions and Social Security benefits.
Paul Wellstone: Opponent of Free Trade
Paul Wellstone fought the NAFTA and GATT, two critical trade expansion
agreements that enjoyed broad bipartisan support.
Paul Wellstone: More Welfare Instead of Workfare
When former Senator Rudy Boschwitz put up a billboard which
accused Senator Wellstone of voting against workfare, Wellstone called
this a distortion. Sure enough, one week later, he voted against reforming
the welfare system by implementing workfare programs. No wonder more and
more Minnesotans are calling him "Senator Welfare."
The next century will demand that America maintain a competitive
economic environment characterized by low taxes, restrained government,
and expanded international trade. Paul Wellstone's allegiance to a
liberal economic agenda has resulted in higher taxes and more debt for
Minnesotans, and we must change course to ensure America wins the raging
international battle for quality jobs and prosperity.
Only Rudy Boschwitz has proven a real dedication to the economic
growth policies required to make the next one hundred years another
"American Century."
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