President pitches tax-cut plan in radio address

ap on San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 4/1/06 | Nedra Pickler - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WACO, Texas – President Bush used the upcoming income tax-filing deadline and his weekly radio address to promote tax-cut proposals and set up an election-year debate with Democrats over the issue.

In the broadcast Saturday, Bush urged Congress to permanently extend tax cuts that he pushed into law during his first term, which are set to expire in coming years.

“Some Democrats in Washington are insisting that we let that happen, or even repeal the tax cuts now,” Bush said as he spent the weekend at his Texas ranch. “In either case, that would weaken our economy and would leave American families with a big tax hike that they do not expect and will not welcome.”

Democrats argue Bush's emphasis on sweeping tax cuts is driving up the deficit. They say his tax relief primarily benefits the wealthy.

The president argued that he can meet his goal of cutting the deficit in half by the end of his time in office through pro-growth economic policies and spending restraint.

“The evidence is overwhelming: The opponents of tax cuts were wrong,” he said. “Tax relief has helped to create jobs and opportunities for American families, and it's helped our economy grow.”

Bush is down in the polls, which find most Americans objecting to the war in Iraq, and has said he recognizes that midterm election politics is making Republicans in Congress nervous. He used the popular GOP call for tax relief to appeal to Americans' pocketbooks with the April 15 filing deadline approaching.

“As tax day approaches later this month, many American families are now finishing their tax returns,” Bush said. “And as you do, an important debate is taking place in Washington that will affect the amount you will pay in the years ahead.”

[NormsRevenge]

While we're at it, let's eliminate or cut capital gains to no more than 5%, and permanently eliminate estate and inheritance taxes.

[snowsislander]

The opponents of tax cuts were wrong,” he said. “Tax relief has helped to create jobs and opportunities for American families, and it's helped our economy grow.”

Yes, the government is collecting plenty of money, with strong growth both in 2004 and 2005.

But we must cut some of this profligate spending. I fail to understand how with control of both the executive and the legislative branches we cannot rein in some of the mad spending going on. Eliminate the Department of Education; cancel the drug "benefit"; and at the very least reform Socialist Security if we cannot eliminate it.

[drypowder]

What ever happened to Bush's ideas spoken during his campaign of making the tax system more fair? Didn't he say he was in favor of rewriting the tax code to make it more fair and simple? So far Bush hasn't been connected to any Arkansides that I'm aware of but as far as his lies, he's pretty close to paralleling Clinton.

[MineralMan]

I'd be more encouraged if President Bush proposed a spending cut and promised to veto any appropriations bill which did not include cuts in spending, or which had pork spending attached to it.

My expectations for this happening approach zero.

[JimRed]

It's all a matter of timing; getting the RATS to demand higher taxes right around election time...

[jla]

... let's eliminate or cut capital gains to no more than 5%, and permanently eliminate estate and inheritance taxes.

I would add also the permanent removal of all taxes on property. This would require amending the Constitution to supersede the desires of states and localities.

[taxed2death]

Correct. A tax cut at the same time of record spending is nothing more than a cheap political trick. We all wind up paying MORE taxes at a later date.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Bush on the radio hey? Forget it Amnesty GW, I have tuned your meaningless BS platitudes out.