This page is part of an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College.
Florida US Senate 2004
Taxes
Betty Castor (Plan 2004)
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Mel Martinez
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Betty Castor and Mel Martinez are both trying to appeal strongly to the middle class. This is causing each side to offer support for tax plans that most benefit the middle class. With 47% of Florida's property tax being paid by retirees, these constituents are also of particular importance in the election (Florida 2003).
The NTUCF's endorsement of Martinez indicates that taxpayers believe he is representing them well. Martinez may just need to stay in line with the Brothers Bush. Polls show that Governor Bush has a 50% approval rating on taxes (Mason-Dixon 2004). Martinez has also used his support of President Bush's recent tax act to re-emphasize his desire to return money to working class Americans to enable them to fulfill the American Dream (Vows 2004). This is an attempt at descriptive representation; Martinez has highlighted his rise to power from humble beginnings in order to identify with working class constituents. Steinhorn cites this as the "most common and emotionally satisfying narrative" politicians can use to sell their messages (Steinhorn 2004). Many typically left-leaning Hispanics are also siding with Martinez, choosing descriptive over substantive representation (Senate 2004). Cutting taxes is a promise that Martinez has been able to keep in the past. As Orange County Chairman, he fulfilled campaign promises by reducing property taxes every year. He also fought increases in sales and gas taxes. (DNet 2004)
Castor opposes keeping all of the tax cuts instated under Bush. She believes that those cuts benefiting the middle class should be made permanent. Her plan is to get rid of the wealthy's tax breaks, providing money to help fund the war in Iraq (Interview 2004). Castor's emphasis on balancing the federal budget also sits well with most Democrats. Representation under Castor is substantive, and her supporters trust that she knows how to represent them better than her opponent. The conservative Americans for Tax Reform have criticized her for wanting to repeal the cuts. The ATR alleges that a repeal would reach farther than just the upper class and affect married middle class couples and business owners as well. Castor has refused nine times the ATR's request that she sign a pledge to oppose any increase in federal income taxes. Martinez has signed the pledge. (Obama 2004)
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to Laura Beach
Created: 9/8/04. Last updated: 10/15/04.