Obama tax plan has lots of local support

North Shore residents have mixed opinions about President Barack Obama?s call Monday for Congress to extend tax cuts approved by former President George W. Bush for all but families earning more than $250,000 a year.Obama called on Congress Monday to extend tax cuts for only low- and middle-income earners while allowing taxes to increase for wealthy families, saying those households are the least likely to promote economic growth. Without a move from Congress, the cuts will expire for all at the end of the year.In Swampscott on Tuesday, Dana Cox, who described himself as “mostly left, but right in some situations,” said the president?s plan makes “perfect sense” to him.?Absolutely, I think it?ll stimulate everyone in the middle,” said Cox, while enjoying lunch outside Lime Rickey?s on Humphrey Street. “I just do not understand the rationale behind tax cuts for the rich.”Ruben Montano, who lives in Boston but now works in Lynn after six months of unemployment, said he, too, supports Obama?s strategy.?My understanding of the economic situation is that the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and the middle class has the least probability of breaking into a higher bracket than ever before,” Montano said. “So when I hear that stores that sell luxury items aren?t feeling the recession because the rich are still able to make these purchases while we have to watch our pockets, I get mad.”Not everyone agreed with the plan, however, saying a proposal not to extend tax cuts for wealthiest households could end up hurting the economy by driving big companies that create jobs out of the U.S. to do business elsewhere.?In the end, it?ll affect free enterprise,” said Trudy Antonelli, enjoying a lobster roll with her 97-year-old mother in Swampscott. “A lot of people think that?s not the best thing, and Obama didn?t think so either, once.”Others felt denying the extension for the wealthiest households was a step in the right direction, but not enough to turn the economy around.?I like the idea because they can afford it, and I do think they should pay more,” said Jim Miller, who was visiting Nahant Beach with his wife Sandy on Tuesday. “But I still think it does too little to help the economy.”Taylor Provost can be reached at [email protected].