Debate follies: Frank Guinta refuses to repeat call to abolish the IRS
During an August debate with the Republican candidates for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, Frank Guinta was asked a direct question and he gave a direct answer. “Do you believe that the IRS should be abolished, Mr. Guinta? asked the moderator. "Yes,” replied Guinta.
In last night’s televised NH1 debate with Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, Guinta was asked the same question. He danced, and he danced and he danced:
SHEA-PORTER: Do you still think we should abolish the IRS?
GUINTA: …I don’t think many people like the IRS. People are frustrated with the IRS and I think one of the fundamental challenges with the IRS is that they take advantage of people, of taxpayers. They’re going after individuals and groups and what’s frustrating is that on your disclosure you have both benefiting from a pension and a salary. You also took $10,000 from the IRS PAC and then you voted in favor of IRS subsidies. That is something that the American people are frustrated with and it’s something that we have to change.
SHEA-PORTER: …let me ask you one more time, please. Do you still want to abolish the IRS? I want to reform it, you want to abolish it.
GUINTA: …you voted to support Lois Lerner and you voted against eliminating the lavish parties and the lavish money that the IRS has been spending. I think you did that you because took $10,000 from the IRS Union PAC and you’re benefiting, according to your disclosure, from a salary and a pension at the same time. That’s the kind of frustration that people have in this country that ought to be eliminated.
SHEA-PORTER: Can I get an answer to that? You’ve been saying that you want to abolish the IRS. Do you still want to abolish the IRS or do you want to reform it like I do?
GUINTA: I’ve answered the question.
The IRS collects over $2.4 trillion in taxes each year, which represents 92 percent of all federal revenue. Guinta has never explained how he envisions the government operating without a tax enforcement agency.