Letter: Former candidate challenges Boustany mailer

The kabuki dance continues
November 20, 2012
Councilman: Vote sends a message to fire department
November 20, 2012
The kabuki dance continues
November 20, 2012
Councilman: Vote sends a message to fire department
November 20, 2012

Dear Editor,



Thanks to redistricting we have been given another fiercely contested campaign for Congress here in South Louisiana. While there were a number of issues discussed during this campaign there was one issue I felt compelled to address because it relates to something that I feel strongly about, federal taxes.

During the general election there was a claim made by Dr. Boustany’s campaign in a mailer suggesting that Mr. Landry intended to raise taxes. This claim was based on a debate that both Jeff Landry and I participated in as candidates several years ago which was hosted by the Taxed Enough Already organization near Baton Rouge. The context of the discussion during that debate surrounded several tax reform policies; more specifically, we were discussing the elimination of our current, burdensome federal income taxes and replacing them with a system that is fairer and more easily implemented. At no time during that debate did Jeff say that he supported any tax increase. There was no additional 23 percent tax that he endorsed. In fact, it was quite the opposite.


While Jeff and I debated on the particulars, it was clear that we both supported lower taxes and a less burdensome government. Moreover, during our debate Jeff Landry did not endorse one specific tax plan over another; rather he stated that he liked concepts of many plans that lower taxes, including the plan by Congressman Paul Ryan.

To say that Mr. Landry was in support of higher taxes based on comments from Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party debate is at best laughable, and at worst dishonest. Either way the fact remains that Jeff did not support higher taxes that night like Dr. Boustany’s campaign has claimed.

Kristian Magar, Ph.D.,

New Iberia, La.