Huckabee says his tax plan will bring back manufacturing jobs
While touring the Quality Manufacturing Corp. in Urbandale, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee praised the work at the facility but lamented the regulations and taxes it and similar factories face.
“We're taxing everything that happens in that building,” the former Arkansas governor said, criticizing current U.S. labor and capital taxes. “So you create an advantage for the foreign manufacturer to the expense of the American manufacturer.”
Huckabee met Wednesday morning with employees at the metal fabricator, shaking hands and commending their work. "I'm convinced that what these guys do in this facility, they can compete with anyone in the world," he said, and "the lasers were just amazing."
Huckabee said the current tax climate is punitive and encourages factories like the one in Urbandale to leave, citing the former Maytag Factory in Newton as an example. To try and bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States, Huckabee promoted his Fair Tax plan, which would establish a finite 23 percent national sales tax and eliminate labor and capital taxes. Through this plan, he said trillions of working capital would return from overseas, while foreign investment in the United States would rise.
“Everybody on this floor has payroll tax taken out of their check. Under the fair tax, they get their entire paycheck. If they buy something, they pay the tax, but they go to shop with their entire paycheck,” Huckabee said. “It gives them more power to make their own consumer decision on how much tax they want to pay."
Huckabee also criticized the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, saying he doesn't support an unequal playing field for the U.S. With regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Internal Revenue Service, he said it's unfair to enter the agreement when countries like China are pushing government subsidized goods into the market.
“If you look at it, it's once again another trade deal that gives extraordinary benefit and leans heavily in the favor of the foreign manufacturer," Huckabee said. "The heart of the middle class of America is the people who can do skilled labor with their hands. If we lose that we lose our country."
Warren Kelleher, 55, of Waukee, a Quality Manufacturing worker, said he's supported Huckabee in previous years, but he's tired of the political environment this season.
“I am pretty much fed up with the Republican Party,” Kelleher said. “I haven't picked anyone yet.”
Kelleher said he's unsure if he wants to caucus this season, but he hopes to see a president who will deal with immigration, get rid of the Affordable Care Act and allow the building of the Keystone Pipeline."
“I want jobs,” Kelleher said. “The Keystone Pipeline is a big deal to me.”
ABOUT THE EVENT
SETTING: Mike Huckabee visited various facilities within the Quality Manufacturing Corp. at 4300 Northwest Urbandale Drive in Urbandale.
CROWD: More than 30 employees waited and speak with Huckabee during a meet and greet following the tour.
REACTION: The employees were excited to meet with Huckabee, taking pictures with him and applauding him after his remarks.
WHAT'S NEXT: Huckabee ended his two-day visit to the state with a trip to the Renewable Energy Group's Newton facility for lunch. He will return Oct. 14 to visit with the Westside Conservative Club at the Machine Shed Restaurant in Urbandale at 7:15 a.m.