McCain Myth Buster:
John McCain and America’s Small Businesses

Today’s McCain Myth: John McCain would stand up for America’s small businesses.

Washington, DC – John McCain says he will stand up for America’s small businesses and that “[e]ntrepreneurs are at the heart of American innovation, growth and prosperity.” But in reality as president Senator McCain’s health care plan would overburden small businesses, hurting both the entrepreneurs running them and the workers needing coverage. According to FactCheck.org and the blog Think Progress, McCain’s plan would “encourage some employers, mainly small businesses, to drop health benefits,” it “could eventually eliminate job-based insurance altogether,” and would “weaken small business protections.” McCain’s voting record backs this up–in 2000, he actually voted against a tax credit for small businesses offering employee health insurance for low-income workers. [johnmccain.com, accessed 6/9/08]

The economy is the number one issue this election, yet time and again McCain makes it clear he’s out of touch with the challenges Americans are facing. How else can you explain a voting record and plans that make it harder for small businesses to succeed?

MCCAIN’S HEALTH CARE PLAN WOULD OVERBURDEN SMALL BUSINESSES

Fact Check: McCain’s Plan Would Result In Employers, Particularly Small Businesses, Dropping Coverage. According to Factcheck.org, “McCain’s plan to tax workers on the value of their employer-provided health care plans and provide tax credits would encourage some employers, mainly small businesses, to drop health benefits, say experts, and the proposal could eventually eliminate job-based insurance altogether.” Director of the health research and education program at the Employee Benefit Research Institute Paul Fronstin “says a tax credit plan like McCain’s likely would mean the end of employer-sponsored health care.” [Factcheck.org, “McCain’s $5,000 Promise, 5/1/2008, http://www.factcheck.org/mccains_5000_promise.html ]

McCain Offers Little On Specifics On Affordable Health Care For Small Businesses. When asked about a “support system for small business” to keep workers comp down, and a more affordable health care program for small business and their employees, McCain discussed how expensive “free” health care from the federal government will be, his “$5,000 refundable tax credit,” and his “outcome-based treatment” plan. [CNN Live Feed (Santa Ana, CA), 3/25/2008]

McCain’s Plan Would “Weaken Small Business Protections.” According to the blog Think Progress, McCain’s health care plan would “weaken small business protections by enabling businesses to simply market insurance policies around the country from states with weak protections.” [Thinkprogress.org, 4/25/2008, http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/04/25/mccain-business-health-care/#more-736 ]

2000: McCain Opposed Tax Credits For Small Businesses Who Offer Insurance. In 2000, McCain voted against allowing businesses with up to 25 employees to receive a tax credit for employee health insurance for low-income workers. [Senate Vote #205, 7/17/00]

NFIB Economist Says Economy Slowing. “Recession fears are spreading and the economy is showing definite signs of slowing, even on Main Street,” according NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg.” [NFIB Small Business Economic Trends, May 2008]

After casting himself as a “Maverick” in 2000, the new John McCain is walking in lockstep with President Bush, pandering to the right wing of the Republican Party, and embracing the ideology he once denounced. On the campaign trail McCain has callously abandoned many of his previously held positions, even contradicted himself, in a blatant attempt to remake himself into a candidate Republicans can accept in 2008. So just who is the real John McCain? The Democratic National Committee will present a daily fact aimed at exposing the man behind the myth.

###