Obama: Reject Romney's snake oil

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WINDHAM, N.H., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- President Obama, campaigning Saturday in Windham, N.H., said Mitt Romney expects the middle class to pick up the tab for his proposed tax cuts for the rich.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 2,000 people at Windham High School, Obama said under the budget proposed by Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Romney would pay "less than 1 percent in taxes each year."

"And here's the kicker. He expects you to pick up the tab," Obama said.

"Governor Romney's tax plan would actually raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of $2,000," Obama said. "Ask Governor Romney and his running mate when they're here in New Hampshire on Monday. ... Ask them if that's fair. Ask them how it will grow the economy. Ask them how it will strengthen the middle class. They have been trying to sell this trickle-down snake oil before. It did not work then, it will not work now, it's not a plan to create jobs, it will not reduce the deficit, it will not move the economy forward. It's the wrong direction for America."

Obama accused his opponents of "being dishonest" about his plans for Medicare, saying the Republicans are "trying to throw everything at the wall just to see what will stick."

"Since I've been in office, I have strengthened Medicare," Obama said. "Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan have a very different plan. They want seniors to get a voucher to buy their own insurance, which would force seniors to pay an additional $6,400 for their healthcare. ... That doesn't strengthen Medicare. That undoes the very guarantee of Medicare. That's the core of the plan written by Congressman Ryan and endorsed by Governor Romney."

Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before arriving in New Hampshire, noted AARP has said Obama's plan would extend Medicare's solvency, while the GOP plan would undermine it and pass costs to seniors.

"We know Florida seniors are smart, and when they look at the details of the plan and they look at the fact that not just us, but many outside organizations, including the AARP, are saying that the Romney/Ryan plan would increase costs for them, middle-class taxes would be increased, we know they're going to take a close look at that, and we feel good about what the result will be," Psaki said.

Ryan was campaigning at a retirement village in Florida Saturday.