Bush Pushes Case for Permanent Tax Cuts

AP ^ | 4/1/6 | Nedra Pickler

[SmithL]

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."

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

How about tax reform, Mr. President? What good are cuts if the government just spends the extra revenues.

[manwiththehands]

"We'll let you keep more of your money. But we get to spend more of your money that you haven't given us yet. OK?"

[Coop]

Good grief. Whining on this one, too. There's just no pleasing some people. And that ain't Dubya's fault.

I heartily applaud his push to make our tax cuts permanent.

[Tzimisce]

...be nice, but this is never going to happen. Too many people love stealing from their neighbors...

[EagleUSA]

The hypocrisy of Washington -- tax cust while spending us into oblivion debt...and no SPENDING CUTS... how stupid do they think we are.

Washington fiddles while America burns.

[KingKenrod]

[Willie Green]

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.

Good grief...
All the good jobs are being outsourced offshore...
his proposed "guest peons" send all their meager earnings back to Mexico...
And the boob hasn't vetoed any congressional spending in 6 years..

I think Dubya must've started cutting math class shortly after he learned how to count how many cans of beer were in a sixpack.

[inquest]

If we can get the tax cuts permanent, that will put major pressure on government to tighten its budget. Right now, they have no incentive at all, because the tax cuts are set to expire automatically. At that point, taxes will go back up, and the tax cuts (not Washington's freespending ways) will be what gets blamed for the deficit. And that will make it so much harder to cut taxes in the future.

So getting them made permanent absolutely has to be the top domestic priority for the administration. (and yes, that effort would certainly be helped if it were accompanied by a push to curtail spending)

[ExcursionGuy84]

They Democrats say his tax relief primarily benefits the wealthy.

So...aren't most of the Congressional Democrats well-to-do financially?

[Willie Green]

Bush said as he spent the weekend at his Texas ranch.

I think this must be a recording from last year.
I bet he's still down in Cancun on Spring Break.

[longtermmemmory]

This is a good political move since it PERMANENTLY takes the ISSUE away from the democrats.

Then when regular reform comes next, it will be a "raise taxes" stand the democrats will have to take.

[Coop]

I think Dubya must've started cutting math class shortly after he learned how to count how many cans of beer were in a sixpack.

And yet he's POTUS and a former governor, while omnipotent Willie Green is just a bitter economic Eeyore.

[isthisnickcool]

Let's see, I was a big Bush supporter. Now I'm trying to think of the time I was really proud of him. He has failed at campaign finance reform and signed a illegal bill, he has never cared enough about anything to veto, he botched the handling of the illegals and just kissed Vincente Fox's ass, he's given away Treasury money to Africans that hate us, brought about a perscription drug program nobody wanted, he has sucked on taxes, the list goes on and on. Oh, oh! I remember the last time I was proud of his. It was way back on this day:

[RHINO369]

You don't think his dad being president had anything to do with his lot in life?

[inquest]

Democrats say his tax relief primarily benefits the wealthy.

Anyone who starts spouting that bilge needs to have this shoved in his face. Taxes on high incomes aren't taxes on the wealthy. They're taxes on people trying to get wealthy. People like Kerry who have large fortunes already amassed are quite capable of sheltering their income and assets from taxation.

[Coop]

Did I say that? But if Eeyore can believe Dubya's an MBA that can't do math, then I can believe his father had no influence in his life and political career.

[RobbyS]

Have people forgotten that we are in the midst of a war? I guess so, since only military familiies have had to suffer from it.

[inquest]

Are you saying you're opposed to the tax cuts? If so, I couldn't disagree more. We could easily fund military operations with the rate that the taxes are being cut to.