U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) flip-flopped on his earlier statements and toed the line for his Democrat Party leaders in Washington once again today when he voted to impose a massive tax hike on American job creators struggling to make ends meet amid nearly 10 percent unemployment and a weak economy.

The provision that Conrad supported this morning, which would have raised taxes for struggling small business owners nationwide, was designed to fail before the vote even took place, marking a new low point in the Democrats’ political posturing over critical tax relief for American job creators.

Notably, Conrad’s vote today contradicts his own position, which he articulated in September 2010 when he told his constituents, “The general rule of thumb is that you do not raise taxes or cut spending during an economic downturn. That would be counterproductive.” An announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor this week showed that the nation’s economy added only 39,000 jobs during November while the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent – the worst rate in seven months.

“Instead of keeping his word, Senator Conrad flip-flopped on his own position today and voted to raise taxes for hard-working small business owners who are struggling to create much-needed jobs,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Press Secretary Amber Marchand. “Senator Conrad decided it was more important to join his party’s political theatrics while employers nationwide wait for certainty in order to create much-needed jobs, and Americans continue to pay the price.”

Background Information:

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “The General Rule Of Thumb Is That You Do Not Raise Taxes Or Cut Spending During An Economic Downturn. That Would Be Counterproductive.” (“Democrats Unlikely To Repeal Tax Cuts For The Rich,” McClatchy, 9/1/10)