* Like I wrote earlier today, both parties do this because it works. And in this case, she has a valid point about using taxpayer funds…
Congressman Bill Foster used thousands of taxpayer dollars to deliver a mailing to his constituents that is a complete misrepresentation. Foster described how unfair it is that some millionaires pay lower tax rates than middle class families. What Congressman Foster failed to disclose was that as one of the 50 wealthiest members of a Congress and a multimillionaire, he paid no taxes in 2011 and when he did pay taxes, he paid a lower rate than most middle class families.
Foster has routinely supported higher taxes on Illinois citizens while refusing to pay his own. It is quite literally the height of hypocrisy.
Foster’s taxpayer-paid mailing blares: “When millionaires can pay a lower tax rate than middle class families, it’s bad for our economy, and it’s just plain wrong.”
Darlene Senger, a single mom and Republican candidate for Congress, said Foster’s misrepresentations are insulting and his use of taxpayer dollars to deceive his own constituents is beyond the pale.
“For one year, Bill Foster paid no income taxes and when he did, even as a multimillionaire, he paid less than middle class Illinois families. And now, he is using taxpayer dollars to denounce the same practice he engaged in without disclosing the facts to his constituents,” said Senger. “The simple truth is Bill Foster is being deeply disingenuous and the voters of the 11th Congressional District deserve better than a taxpayer-funded mail piece littered with misrepresentations.”
- Big Muddy - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
For a highly educated man Foster sure is dumb. HE’S jumping in on the class warfare theme of the left? Congressman Foster, you’re a millionaire… from Naperville for Pete’s sake. Maybe try running on your successful record as a Congressman? Oh, wait…
- southern girl - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 2:59 pm:
The problem with her statement is that Foster played by the rules. The rules are what need to be changed. Which is what I believe Foster was stating.
- Western Ave. Doug - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:14 pm:
==The problem with her statement is that Foster played by the rules. The rules are what need to be changed. Which is what I believe Foster was stating.==
HA! Tell that to the DGA and the Quinn campaign with Bruce’s tax rate non-sense.
- Steve - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:30 pm:
No word yet on when Bill Foster is going to join the Illinois movement to roll back tax increases and toll increases. Bill Foster sure is greedy for not caring about the middle class paying higher taxes.
- Earl Shumaker - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:31 pm:
I have to disagree with southern girl’s statement that “Foster played by the rules.” Some of us expect from our legislators integrity and a moral/ethical compass. Not so sure, based on the following information that Foster has either.
And yet, on-the-other hand we have as Foster’s opponent Darlene Senger who as a Republican leader in the Illinois Legislature voted to trash the Illinois Constitution and contract law by voting for the so-called Pension Reform Legislation. As a result of this, I also question her integrity and her ethical/moral compass
Big Muddy, i appreciated your comments
- Earl Shumaker - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:32 pm:
I have to disagree with southern girl’s statement that “Foster played by the rules.” Some of us expect from our legislators integrity and a moral/ethical compass. Not so sure, based on the following information that Foster has either.
And yet, on-the-other hand we have as Foster’s opponent Darlene Senger who as a Republican leader in the Illinois Legislature voted to trash the Illinois Constitution and contract law by voting for the so-called Pension Reform Legislation. As a result of this, I also question her integrity and her ethical/moral compass
- southern girl - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:43 pm:
Western Ave: Is Rauner saying he should pay more taxes that the loopholes on millionaire’s should be closed? or “When millionaires can pay a lower tax rate than middle class families, it’s bad for our economy, and it’s just plain wrong.” I must have missed that statement.
Earl..And what exactly do you want Foster to do, write a check over what the IRS says he owes and say it’s for goodwill?
Maybe I am missing something.
- Western Ave. Doug - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:47 pm:
==Maybe I am missing something==
Yes. A single standard to apply.
- Confused - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:49 pm:
I just checked, he had no income in 2011, why would he pay any taxes?
It seems to me Ms. Senger is grasping for air..
- southern girl - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:50 pm:
Western Ave..So if Foster comes out and says, “I am a millionaire and I should pay more taxes”, there would not be an issue?
- Backwards - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:53 pm:
The ethic of not bankrupting the State of Illinois in exchange for some very mild pension reform is pretty good.
The ethic of trying to get everyone else to pay more taxes while trying to get your own reduced is not so hot.
- Big Muddy - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:58 pm:
Lemmegetthisstraight? Foster paying no taxes as a millionaire is okay but Rauner paying taxes at the lawful IRS rate is somehow an elitist snobbery trick that the left is exploiting? If Foster is a millionaire he has his money somewhere working for him. Perhaps the Caymans?!
- A guy... - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 4:13 pm:
===Confused - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 3:49 pm:
I just checked, he had no income in 2011, why would he pay any taxes?===
You must be confused. There’s no income and then there’s “no income”. Foster is an extremely wealthy guy. Do you really think not a single investment, mutual fund, or passbook savings account for God’s sake didn’t generate any income?
Using the franking privilege is always subject to extra scrutiny, but this one is really flaky.
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 4:18 pm:
==The ethic of not bankrupting the State of Illinois in exchange for some very mild pension reform is pretty good.==
The state has plenty of ways to make its pension payments. There is no bankrupting that is going to occur statewide. Just a red herring.
- Big Muddy - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 4:31 pm:
Precinct Capt,
ahhh yes. Damn the torpedoes on everything else just make sure you get your pension, right?
I can’t help it that Madigan and crew have been anything but honest with you all these years but just raising taxes isn’t going to cut it.
- low level - Friday, Sep 5, 14 @ 4:51 pm:
It is indeed a red herring.
That said, I sure hope Rep. Sengler has been judicious in the use of her own state funded “newsletters”.