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Herman Cain Stole His "9-9-9" Plan From SimCity

According to the Republican presidential candidate's revolutionary plan, corporate income taxes, personal income taxes, and national sales tax rates would each be 9%. Seems smart and original, right? Wrong. Reporters have unearthed an astonishing similarity between Cain's 9-9-9 Plan and SimCity 4's default tax scheme.

By
Josh Fjelstad
by Josh Fjelstad

BuzzFeed Group Creative Director

When you start a new game in SimCity 4--a game released in 2003--residents, by default, pay a 9% commercial tax rate, 9% residential tax rate, and a 9% industrial tax rate.

Because Cain's tax proposal seemingly came out of nowhere, there has been rampant speculation in the media as to its origins. However, when Cain campaign spokesman JD Gordon was questioned about the similarities between his plan and SimCity's default tax rates, Gordon had this to say:

Well, we all like 9-9-9.
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