Clinton attacks Trump economic proposal

By Associated Press 09 August 2016, 12:00AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hillary Clinton offered a simple reply to Donald Trump's economic address Monday: "Don't let a friend vote Trump."

At a rally in St. Petersburg, Florida, Clinton said the plans Trump outlined earlier in Detroit would push the country back into recession, warning that his plans benefit the rich and do little to create jobs or boost the economy.

"His tax plans would give super big tax breaks to large corporations and the really wealthy," Clinton said, characterizing the proposals, which include substantial tax cuts, as "trickle-down economics."

"You know that old saying: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me," she said.

Clinton countered with her own economic proposals, saying she wants to invest in public works projects and more educational opportunities and will tax top earners to pay for her plans. She is expected to speak to the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday.

"I have said throughout this campaign I am not going to raise the taxes on the middle class, but with your help we are going to raise it on the wealthy," said Clinton.

Earlier Monday, Clinton toured a brewery as a way of highlighting her commitment to small businesses. Later, she plans rally supporters in Kissimmee, Florida.

Her two-day tour through battleground Florida, home of 29 electoral votes, is focused heavily on jobs and the economy.

Aides say they hope to build on polls showing Clinton gaining ground on economic issues, which have made up the core of Trump's campaign message.

"We are not interested in economic plans that only help the top 1 percent," Clinton said.

Clinton is putting a heavy focus on Florida, with travel and television advertising. President Barack Obama narrowly won the state in 2012.

While there, Clinton also plans to meet with health professionals combatting the Zika virus. She said she would meet with people on the "front line of Zika" on Tuesday.

"Washington cannot keep ignoring the needs of the families of Florida," Clinton said.

The Republican-controlled Congress left Washington in mid-July for a seven-week recess without approving any of the $1.9 billion Obama requested in February to develop a vaccine and control the mosquitoes that carry the virus. Abortion politics played a central role in the impasse.

By Associated Press 09 August 2016, 12:00AM
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