In recent American history three presidents, Republicans Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush—and Democrat icon John Fitzgerald Kennedy—all lowered taxes in response to economic recessions. In all three cases, more money flowed into federal coffers than expected, and all three recessions ended.
But, in the words of David Gregory of Meet The Press, how are we going to pay for a tax cut?
In 2003, President Bush lowered income, capital gains and dividend tax rates. As a result of the Bush tax cuts, the amount of revenue flowing into the federal Treasury over the next four years surged by over 40%, or $743 billion. To illustrate how the tax cuts boosted the economy, Gross Domestic Product grew at an annual rate of just 1.7% in the six quarters before the 2003 tax cuts. In the six quarters following the tax cuts, the growth rate was a robust 4.1%. While some of that growth was naturally occurring, the sudden and dramatic turnaround in the economy began at the exact moment those pro-growth policies were enacted.
But David Gregory of Meet The Press has a good point, and he makes it every freakin' Sunday morning....How are these tax cut going to be paid for?
Yet, despite compelling evidence, the Obama administration and Congressional Democrats intend to raise taxes beginning in 2011 by letting the Bush tax cuts expire. The top marginal tax rate will increase from 35% to 39.6%, capital gains rates will increase from 15% to 20%, and dividend rates will increase from 15% to as high as 39.6%.
Good for them ! We can't have tax cuts that favor the rich unless the tax cuts are paid for.
Be sure to watch David Gregory on Meet The Press this Sunday. I hope the talking points that The White House gives him haven't changed.
The picture of the David Gregory puppet came from here.
1 comment:
Since most taxes destroy social welfare, cutting taxes pays for itself.
It's taxes which must be justified.
It's government spending for which we should always ask, "How are you going to pay for that?" and "Who is going to pay for that?"
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