[econjack]

Recession...depression...whatever. What really ticks me off is that the cure is so simple, but no one in Washington--Democrat or Republican--has the stones to do it. To end the recession, make permanent cuts in both personal and corporate tax rates. The cut in personal tax rates would allow consumers to plan for expenditures on big ticket items (e.g., homes, cars, etc), thus stimulating demand for goods and services. The same is true for corporations--they would be able to hire additional workers in response to the increased demand caused by the tax cuts. If you're saying this would increase the deficit, I would suggest two responses: 1) You don't think TARP increased the deficit and so far, it's managed to move us from 8 to 10.2% unemployment, 2) check the Laffer Curve. Lower tax rates, especially given those that prevail now, can lead to increased tax receipts.

So why don't the egos in Washington do this? Because the ability to dole out yours and my money to someone else gives them political power...pure and simple. I say we clean house starting next year and not quit until they're all out on their ass.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Why our economy is subject to political hacks and not economist and real business people I will never understand.

[Cheap_Hessian]

The Democrats get elected through handouts. They can’t fix the economy, because they would then have to admit they were wrong the whole time and enact free market solutions. The recession will go deeper. The Democrats will just increase spending, continue the devaluing of the dollar, and continue blaming Bush. It’s all they can do at this point.

[Hostage]

What you posted describes my thinking many years back.

And then, my thoughts and passions ended up here:

http://www.fairtax.org

[TalBlack]

“To end the recession, make permanent cuts in both personal and corporate tax rates.”

Not only stimulative but cheaper than the “stimulus” spending.