Hillary Clinton promises to raise taxes

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday said her plan for fiscal responsibility includes tax increases, during a debate at which the Democratic contenders kept it civil and stressed they will “ask” Americans to sacrifice to achieve their policy goals.

“I want to restore the tax rates that we had in the ’90s,” said the New York Democrat and former first lady. “That means raising taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals. I want to keep the middle-class tax cuts.”

Mrs. Clinton also said cost savings from her universal health care plan would help the average Americans and spur economic growth.

The other Democratic presidential hopefuls also walked a careful line on raising taxes and pledging fiscal responsibility, mostly saying they would end tax breaks for the rich.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut touted his work to expand the child care tax credit and said he would extend the earned income tax credit to “lift people up” and spur the economy.

“Too often, I think Democrats are just associated with tax increases and not growing the economy and not investing in the growth of our nation,” he said.

Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina said it is unfair that middle-class families struggle and suggested that corporations and the rich are prospering because they established tax policy.

“What we ought to be doing instead is getting rid of these tax breaks … the wealthiest Americans, big tax breaks for companies that are actually taking American jobs overseas,” he said.

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