by Tom Toburn

On FOX News Sunday, Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) told host Chris Wallace, “No, I don’t consider the alternative minimum tax to be a tax. It effects working families only, and not inheritance. Plus it’s only an alternate.”

Frist was challenged by Duncan Turner of the Conservative Americans for Tax Reform, who opposed Frist, and questioned the effectiveness of government expansion with resultant hidden taxes in the form of high sales, gas and property taxes, and higher taxes on goods and services. Hunter challenged Frist over the increasing number of citizens subject to paying the alternative minimum tax, creating government expansion that has accelerated to an unprecedented degree.

“No, the Democrats are for higher taxes. Not the Republicans. I thought I explained that very clearly. Oh, and the Democrats are for ‘cut and run’ in the war on terror, in case I forgot to mention.”

Turner accused First of not knowing what the alternative minimum tax or property taxes are, and of uncritically and truculently adhering to mindless talking points. “That may be true in some people’s minds, but not in mine. Our party is easier, because it stands for integrity and standing firm, which means not letting little details get in the way.”