Critical Reasoning

Candidate for governor: The outgoing governor and his administration have made a mess of our state's tax laws. Although they have offered necessary tax cuts to small business, they have so complicated and increased personal income taxes that it is almost better financially to be unemployed than to own a business.

Incumbent governor: On the contrary, the changes to the tax code my administration and I have made have undoubtedly brought new business to our state, thereby increasing overall prosperity. In fact, last year alone three major new manufacturing plants began operations.

The incumbent governor's response to the candidate's criticism is flawed because it .

A. assumes that new manufacturing plants will contribute significantly to revenues in the state.
B. does not assign a dollar amount to the relationship between tax incentives and the attraction of new business.
C. fails to address the candidate's concern about the tax burden placed on the individual.
D. denies the candidate's accusation without providing evidence for an alternative conclusion.
E. perpetuates the unfounded assumption that the state will prosper if new business is encouraged.