Democratic Party vs. the "Yacht Party?"
Characterizing the GOP as the party that protects wealthy buyers of yachts and jets, the Courage Campaign, a liberal Democratic group, is raising money to air a 30-second television ad ridiculing Republicans' refusal to close a sales tax loophole on such big-ticket items.
The ad can be viewed on YouTube:
The controversy stems from a recent Assembly vote in which Republicans killed legislation to close a loophole allowing wealthy Californians to avoid paying state sales and use taxes on luxury boats, recreational vehicles and planes by keeping them out of state for three months after buying them.
The California Majority Report, a Democratic blog, cites an e-mail solicitation from the Courage Campaign that explains the "Yacht Party" TV ad and says $10,000 is needed immediately to air it on CNN, MSNBC, the Daily Show and Colbert Report.
"While you are wondering if your child's school is going to be shut down because of the brutal cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, his California Republican 'Yacht Party' colleagues in the state Legislature are protecting the lavish lifestyles of the super wealthy," the e-mail reads.
Republican legislators consistently have opposed solving California's multibillion-dollar budget deficit by increasing any form of taxes. The state has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, the GOP contends.
The Courage Campaign identifies itself as an organization for liberals to "revitalize the California dream from outside the political system." Its founder is Rick Jacobs, who chaired Democrat Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign in California.
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