Government

Allen West on Payroll Tax Cut: ‘We’re Going to Accumulate a List of Things $40 Does Not Get You’

During an interview with CNN‘s Soledad O’Brien on Wednesday, outspoken Florida Congressman Allen West shared his skepticism about the payroll tax compromise reached in Congress and said he currently wouldn’t support the plan.

O’Brien made note that Obama has been promoting a “What Does $40 Mean To You?” angle to the payroll tax cut debate. In response, West stated:

“We’re going to accumulate our own list of the top ten things that $40 does not get you. As a matter of fact, I can’t fill up a tank of gas in my vehicle back home with $40 of gas. Soledad, think about what we’re doing for our seniors. We’re pushing Social Security closer to the end of a cliff.”

Earlier in the segment, West affirmed that he would not support any compromise that would do so “on the backs of American homeowners,”

“I won’t support that,” West said.

“It’s about time that we get pretty genuine with the American people and not give them political gimmicks. Let’s start doing the things that look out for our future, not a short term economic band aid.”

West later added that, “I think that I have to be responsible to the American people, I have to be accountable to them… It’s about time we get people who are serious and going to work for hard-working American taxpayers and not just tell them lies so we can get elected.”

Mediaite adds:

They have this thing about what would $40 do for you? It’s been very effective,” She explained, noting that people writing into the campaign will say $40 is three or four days of food, $40 is a tank of gas, $40 is half of my electric bill. This is a very effective political tool for the Obama Administration. Do you run the risk of losing on that front?” O’Brien pressed West.

“Well, what you just said is indicative of the problem in Washington DC,” West replied. “You said a political tool. That means this is not about good policy. That means it’s not about the future for this country. As a matter of fact, we’re going to accumulate our own list of the top ten things that $40 does not get you. As a matter of fact, I can’t fill up a tank of gas in my vehicle back home with $40 of gas. Soledad, think about what we’re doing for our seniors. We’re pushing Social Security closer to the end of a cliff.”

“The actuaries and the trustees have already said we’re looking at ten years before we have bankruptcy with Medicare and following that, Social Security with probably 25 to 30% with degradation of benefits. These are the things we need to say to the American people not playing games with them based upon $40.”

Watch the interview below, courtesy of Mediaite:


Comments (141)

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  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:46pm

    Thanks to the Obamacare that $40.00 and more will be going for doctors bill because of the doctor fix that is hanging over the doctors head.

    Report Post »  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:08pm

      $40.00 dollars a wk does not cover the extra price hikes since Obama became president some foods have increased three fold.

      Report Post »  
    • Grey Eagle
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:38pm

      Col. West is a patriot and straight talker. He doesn’t try to do a snow job. He would make a good VP candidate for Newt or Santorum.

      Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:01pm

      My union co pay just went to $50.00 ! I’m glad I have my own retirement fund!

      Report Post »  
    • Adorno
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:00am

      Maybe $40 will get Mr. West a decent haircut.

      Hey Mr. West: Arsenio Hall called. He wants his hairstyle back.

      Report Post » Adorno  
    • Rightallalong
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:36am

      WEST voted for the NDAA so that the government can arrest and detain forever you without trial … ANYONE that votes to give the government that much power and to TRASH the Bill of Rights is not a Patriot. Anyone that voted for NDAA is a traitor to the Consitution and the Freedoms that ONCE made America great.

      Report Post » Rightallalong  
    • TRUTHandFREEDOM
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:34am

      If West was running in the primaries, we’d see solid conservative support and no need to question if the candidate is with us or not.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 7:02am

      When our Aldi’s came into town, a gallon of milk cost 99 cents. This was about a year and a half ago. Now it costs $2.09. I have a little PT Cruiser and $40.00 won’t fill my tank anymore. We have a local talk show host that suggested everyone go to the gas station and ONLY put in what they think a tank of gas should cost, based on the size of their tank. If you have a 13 gallon tank, and you’re empty, and you think gas should be $1.87 a gallon, put about $24 in. It‘s not to fill you’re tank, it’s to make a statement. If we get enough people only getting between $20 and $30, not the $45 it should take, we can have a voice. At $4.05 a gallon (the projected price for Memorial Day), my little 13 gallon tank would cost almost $53 to fill. They’re pricing gas this high on purpose. They proposed a jump from $7,500 incentive to get an electric car to $10,000. Once they get everyone on electric cars what do you think the price of electricity will do? Electric cars are not green….they run on coal created electricity. And Obama has already said he wants to shut down coal plants.

      Report Post »  
    • edcoil
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:30am

      The ability of the GOP to snatch defeat from victory never ceases to amaze me. 6 weeks ago they did not want to sing it because it only lasted 2 months and they wanted a year. No obama demands a year and the GOP does not remind everyone it was their idea in the first friggen place.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:42am

      The GOP says they’re in favor of tax breaks and say they will help the economy. Turns out they are only in favor of tax breaks for millionaires. They mock tax breaks for you and me even though they amount to $960 a year.

      The GOP is certainly the party of the rich, and are guaranteed to get 1% of the vote.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Clive
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 2:28pm

      let me get this straight, the GOP was willing to shut down the entire government over not extending bush’s tax cut for millionaires, but is actively trying to take away a tax cut for regular working people?

      repeat:
      fighting for a tax cut for millionaires, fighting against a tax cut for the rest of the country.
      what part of the tea party values does this represent?

      its no wonder we’ve already lost the election.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:46pm

    $40 gets you Change!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Gumbercules
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:54pm

      Now I can sniff my kocaine with two rolled up Twenty‘s instead of my dollar bills i’ve been using!

      Report Post » Gumbercules  
  • hi
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:40pm

    Santorum/West 2012

    Report Post » hi  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:03pm

      Is there a reason you want to put into office those who support the abolishment of the 4th , 5th & 6th amendments in the illusion of “security” with their proclaimed support for the Patriot Act and unlimited detention for US citizens under the NDAA?

      Report Post »  
    • Understudy
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:03pm

      where do I sign?

      Report Post »  
    • Br@dley
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:37pm

      santorum is on record saying he doesn’t believe individual liberty to be a conservative principle.
      west voted in favor of NDAA.

      so you want to vote for collectivism and tyranny?

      Report Post » Br@dley  
    • Rightallalong
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:39am

      Santy and West 2012????? – I do not want the traitor that voted for NDAA even in Congress anymore much less as a VP. ANYONE that votes to give the government power to arrest and hold citizens without trial forever is a traitor to the Consitution and the Freedoms that ONCE made America great.

      Report Post » Rightallalong  
  • SHOWMESTATEGUY
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:37pm

    Obama says these Black men like West dont’t know what they talk about. They be Uncle Tom’s. You can’t be a black man unless you hate the white man. Don’t believe me? Sharpton and Jackson would be good reads.

    Report Post »  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:29pm

    The POS, who spends $117,000/day on vacation in Hawaii is going to tell us what $40.00 will get us?
    let’s give him $40.00/day to go on vacation with. Then he can come and tell us how much that buys.
    What a clown. How do people believe this snake oil salesman?

    Report Post » loveoursoldiers  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:04pm

      Blame the US House, they have the power to defund Obama and have chosen otherwise.

      Report Post »  
    • barbaraw62
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:56pm

      Bonnie….. the Congress keeps passing bills that the Demoncraps in the Senate will not even look at….grow up!

      Report Post » barbaraw62  
    • The Scarecrow
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:21pm

      Apparently some believe him, no child left behind.

      Report Post »  
    • APPAULED
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 7:00pm

      The cost of vacations are high due to the cost of security, not because the Obama’s are spending lavishly. The security has been the same each time any President goes anywhere. Are you suggesting they should never go on a vacation?

      Report Post »  
  • diablamonkey
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:19pm

    the sad part that the media doesn’t tell seniors is that ss will be broke sooner now rather than later- they can’t fund it now- now they just shortened the life span of ss- people in this country are morons and they will get what they deserve- unfortuanately they are taking the rest of us down with them

    Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:16pm

    Love this guy!

    Report Post »  
    • riverdog1
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:38pm

      you tell em mr west. screw the middle class. raise taxes on us and the poor. tax cuts work only for the rich!!

      Report Post »  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:08pm

      @ riverdog1

      you tell em mr west. screw the middle class. raise taxes on us and the poor. tax cuts work only for the rich!
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Polly want a *******?

      Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:12am

      JENNY LIND, Me too. He was wrong about NDAA. Perhaps he thought it would not be taken to the extreme. However it opens the door to do just that. I would like to hear his explaination for that vote, and whether he would do it again inspite of the consquences that might follow such a law. That law needs to be reversed. Would he be willing to do so?

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • REPUB1
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:12pm

    @most here “I can’t fill up a tank of gas in my vehicle back home with $40 of gas” the word is CAN’T

    Report Post »  
  • DSTSS2010
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:08pm

    Sloedad, Soledad, Soledad, a tank of gas, half my electric bill, NO WAY! I’m on Social (in)Security, I’m not getting $40, I’m getting the shaft!

    Report Post » DSTSS2010  
  • DSTSS2010
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:02pm

    $40 is a tank of gas? On what planet?

    Report Post » DSTSS2010  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:25pm

      LOL . .. my little Toyota convertible took more than that and it wasn’t near empty!

      Report Post »  
    • kentuckypatriot
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:25pm

      Yea, especially when it hits 4 or 5 bucks a gallon by summer. Whoever the R nominee is, they better hit that message hard.

      Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
  • Thevoice
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:00pm

    Here is the absolute perfect example today. Allen West gives this nimrod a truthful honest answer. What does the “New age progressive commie” nimrod do with it …Turns to the other “Commies” in the room to reinforce their ideology. That all Americans are stupid and don’t want the truth. Allen West to the best of his abilities is a Gatekeeper. Thank you for your honesty and priniciples sir…

    Report Post » Thevoice  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:17pm

      Allen West the 1 term failure from Florida, isn’t the GOP taking away his district. Even as the GOP races to the extremes, ths war criminal is still to fringe for them.

      Report Post »  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:36pm

      SoulADaddy justs wants HER answer….None of these moonbats on CNN/LSDNBC etc take time to LISTEN. They are so programmed.Stepford lemmings with democrappy ear pieces.

      Allen West makes Obammy look like a sissy.
      Freedom isn’t FREE
      Thank You Lt Col Allen West

      OMG in 2012

      Report Post »  
  • Bruce_Almty
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:58pm

    $40 won’t get me a seat at FedEx Field. :(

    Report Post » Bruce_Almty  
  • JonSigMan
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:58pm

    This tax “holiday” had become a “vacation”, and now it is well on its way to becoming the crime of the century! Now our Reps vote to steal funds from the citizens of this country, and have to intention of paying it back, why can’t people see how morally corrupt this is? Apparently not… so very sad indeed! I’d much rather pay the $40 now, and not later.

    Report Post » JonSigMan  
    • Tired of Code Names
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:32pm

      @JonSigMan
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:58pm
      This tax “holiday” had become a “vacation”, and now it is well on its way to becoming the crime of the century! Now our Reps vote to steal funds from the citizens of this country, and have to intention of paying it back, why can’t people see how morally corrupt this is? Apparently not… so very sad indeed! I’d much rather pay the $40 now, and not later.

      Really? Seriously? Are you really suggesting that we can keep SPENDING the way this government is and throwing $40 bucks in per person is going to solve things? The yearly deficite is $17,000 per legal citizen in this country. $40 bucks? Entitlements are the problem. Dem‘s won’t cut them. They want the nannay state. And they are in a predicament. They can’t cut them. Neither can the Republicans who were equally in bed with the entitlements. Until we as a country agree together to address it….Greece is coming our way. And all those lib’s who think the europeans are so much smarter than we are. It’s almost comical….if it were’nt so sad.

      Report Post »  
  • Flyingfish
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:57pm

    $40…..heck just to be spiteful I’m going to add $40 more a month payment to my debt…..which will help the economy about zilch since all the lenders are in the hole or sitting on whatever cash they have.

    As much as I hate the concept of SS (maybe we should harrass them for using Nazi abreviations too) I hate it even worse now. The program was fairly self seficient until the politicians started messing with the benefits pay out and now stealing, not even pretending anymore, directly from the trust.

    Report Post » Flyingfish  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:22pm

      Maybe the Marines should have named the unit something other than Scout Snipers?

      Report Post » babylonvi  
  • kfalcon22000
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:56pm

    The president has been lying about the $40 the entire time. The idea is that the average American earns $52,000 a year. Thus they earn $1000 a week. Since the payroll tax cut is 2%, that is $20 a week. A lot of people do get paid bi-weekly. But $40 from a $2000 paycheck, is almost nothing. If you order in once a week, that would be about the equivalent.

    Report Post »  
    • VermontPatriot
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:05pm

      After reading that I am depressed, I am way below average….

      Report Post » VermontPatriot  
    • Lonescrapper
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:56pm

      40 dollars is a dinner at a cheap dine in restaurant for a family of 4, it sure as heck wouldn‘t pay for a plate at any of Obama’s dinner/fundraiser/etc.

      Report Post » Lonescrapper  
    • fatsomann
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:08pm

      That’s right. A person would have to make $104,000 a year / $2000 per week to get $40 per week.
      In reality it’s more like $40/month. Then it may not even be that much depending if you have pretax insurance or other pretax items (fsa/dep care) deducted from your gross pay. We need real income tax reductions! See “they” changed the words – social security tax to payroll tax and a lot of people are getting this confused with withholding tax/income tax.

      Report Post » fatsomann  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:56pm

    40.00 is a drop in the bucket of what the Federal Government has stolen from me over the years.

    Repeal the 16th and 17th Ammendment and lets see a real recovery…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:50pm

    West just gets a little cranky when he hasn’t abused a handcuffed man in a while…

    Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:07pm

      You are a real jerk. He actually turned himself in. He obtained information that prevented the planting of IEDs and perhaps saving some lives, not only of our soldiers, but of innocent Iraqis as well. The man has more balls and common sense than most in congress and I fear that that is why you are so negative about him, he just might DO something.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • FLYOVERSTATEIOWA
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:09pm

      Seriously? Lumbar, or should I say WORM? At least he is speaking TRUTH.

      Report Post » FLYOVERSTATEIOWA  
    • Lumbar Spine
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:31pm

      Oooooh…touchy about your flawed heroes, huh? I know…he may be a psychopath, but he’s a great conservative.

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:42pm

      Oooooh…touchy about your flawed heroes, huh? I know…he may be a psychopath, but he’s a great conservative. Interesting comment here. If your allegations bore merit wouldn’t he have faced a court martial and done time? Secondly, I don’t see any of your comments on Maxine Waters excellent stand on the first amendment or the piece about Obama not being able to cut the deficit. I’d like to know your opinions on these stellar leaders of the left.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • Lumbar Spine
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:54pm

      DMERWIN…Maxine Waters is an inarticulate nut job. And Jesus Christ could not have cleaned up the mess George Bush left Barack Obama.

      Report Post »  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:43am

      @ Lumbar Spine
      The last I knew they didn‘t sign the Geneva Convention therefore it didn’t apply.

      Report Post »  
  • disenlightened
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:50pm

    First of all, why is West talking to a rabid, race-baiting liberal like Soledad O’Brien? Why give her ratings? Is he stupid? Second, this is just more talk, and West seems no better than the rest of the GOP in Congress. They talk a little and they whine a little but they never actually do anything but bend over and take another one. Everyone of them has their clubs in the trunk of their car and they can’t wait to get out to the course . . . after, of course, getting their free haircuts (paid for by us taxpayers) at the Congressional Barber Shop staffed by 4 union barbers making nearly $100,000 a year.

    Report Post » disenlightened  
    • beekeeper
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:35pm

      The haircuts aren’t free, haven’t been for decades. Their expenses exceed their receipts, not hard to do when they earn twice the going rate for thei jobs PLUS pension, health care, etc.

      The taxpayer will be handing the barber shop some $300,000 because they are too big to fail, and Obama can crow about the 5 jobs he saved or created there!

      Report Post » beekeeper  
    • disenlightened
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:34pm

      @BEEKEEPER
      There you go, splitting hairs.

      Report Post » disenlightened  
  • ARealCharliesAngel
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:48pm

    Mr. West…you are GREAT! But…at this point, please take the leadership role, write a bill to cut/eliminate some wasteful programs that no one on either side can defend keeping, fight the good fight, and make it happen.

    Elected Conservatives NEED to take act and bring bills to the floor to immediately fight the insanity and get exposure. DO IT…turn the tables and get it done!!!!! Thank you.

    Report Post » ARealCharliesAngel  
    • kfalcon22000
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:59pm

      Allen West did propose a bill to cut spending in the Pentagon. It sailed through Congress without a dissenting vote. Not bad for a freshman congressman.

      Report Post »  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:00pm

      especially term limits

      Report Post »  
    • Rightallalong
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:41am

      So you think WEST is great even after votng for the NDAA so that the government can arrest and detain forever you without trial … ANYONE that votes to give the government that much power and to TRASH the Bill of Rights is not a Patriot. Anyone that voted for NDAA is a traitor to the Consitution and the Freedoms that ONCE made America great.

      Report Post » Rightallalong  
  • JimCDew
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:42pm

    Why do these media cretins continue to try to make the fiscal heros look like anti-American weasels? they should be talking to the panderers asking them how they will pay for the goodies without sending the country down the tubes like Greece.

    Report Post »  
  • kangaroo
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:38pm

    I was at a friends place when this was on tv, she is a teacher and so is her husband, they are libs, now he is an econimics teacher and teaches tax and spend, I swear there has to be a law against this. Anyway he was sitting there saying I just luv this, watching people in misery, also I may note when they started looking at illegal aliens in alabama and they all split and the farmers didn’t have anyone to pick their crops, he said serves the farmer right and I hope he goes broke. This kind of thinking helps him how? 4 buck lettuce, 10 bucks a lb for tomatoes, 5 bucks for an ear of corn These 2 are in their late 50s I just don’t understand this kind of mindset

    Report Post » kangaroo  
    • whatthecrazy
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:44pm

      Hey,just a suggestion,you might want to hang with more like minded people in case that way of thinking rubs off like cooties.

      Report Post »  
    • kangaroo
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:07pm

      Kinda proof positive that the great divider is dividing us. She has been my mate for over 20yrs, when she got fired from her teaching job over 15yrs ago can’t remember why, I hired her to work in my capitalistic owned company which helped pay her rent. She was getting a clue until she married him, all hope is lost for her now. She is back teaching and if she votes odictator again she can kiss her retirement and healthcare good bye. I am disturbed bigtime about the way they think, it definately weighs on my mind big time. There is no talking reason with them never is with libs

      Report Post » kangaroo  
    • diablamonkey
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:17pm

      liberalism is a mental disorder- this proves that point- they are mean spirited people who will squack like there is not tomorrow as soon as it starts to affect them- losers everyone

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 2:34pm

      kangaroo,
      first of all, you seem like a terrible friend.
      second of all, maybe your teacher “friends” could teach you how to write. Seriously most 8 year olds have a better grip on writing than you do.

      Report Post »  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:37pm

    I can tell you what it does for ME you crazy freak, it teases the he!l out of me and makes me wish for the day that i had never heard of you and was allowed to live my life and make all the money that i was capable of making you fool.You make me sick obama,your wife and all the demons that spue your crap along with you .May you get everything you deserve in the end.

    Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:36pm

    Will $40 get my right to due process back?

    Report Post » justangry  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:54pm

      Nope, that’s extra.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:32pm

      $40.00 will cover maybe about 1 /10,000 th of the taxpayer dollars it is going to cost to clean up the Mall after the “Reason Rally”

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • Bronco II
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:34pm

    Yeah $40.00 won‘t do anything for me and if it will pay half of someone electric bill then I’m with the wrong electric company.Thank you Allen West for once again speaking TRUTH.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:48pm

      An extra $40 will pay for more gas for the car.

      The $5 a gallon gas will wipe all that out & then some. So we will be further behind.

      All Obama say that gas prices need to go up, but that he is chagrined they went up so fats (read before Nov 4th). He’ll go on to say that we need more solar.

      I was into solar when he was getting poor grades at Columbia. Grades that he still hasn’t release. Why should he. The mind numbed robots of the left still, believe he is a genius & showing his transcript would break that illusion.

      Report Post »  
  • AZ Prosecutor
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:31pm

    This is actually stealing from Seniors and those who ever expect to collect SS.

    Report Post » AZ Prosecutor  
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