Free Republic

Activists calling for greater investment in public services ranging from schools to in-home health care are ending a 48-day, 365-mile march with a rally in front of the state Capitol.

A record number of the 142 million tax returns filed in 2008 resulted in no tax payment, according to a Tax Foundation analysis of IRS data. That means the tax filers got back every dollar that had been withheld from their paychecks, and often more. Roughly 51.6 million tax returns, or 36.3 percent, were filed by such "nonpayers," people whose exemptions, deductions and credits wiped out any federal income tax due. A family of four earning more than $50,000 can have no income tax liability after taking the standard deduction and the child tax credit. "Two records were set in...

Fiscal Policy: The latest data show a record number of people with no tax obligation. We also have the highest-earning nontaxpayers ever. With more riding the wagon and fewer pulling, it should soon break down. A record number of the 142 million tax returns filed in 2008 resulted in no taxes owed, according to the Tax Foundation's analysis of the latest IRS data. About 51.6 million returns, or 36.3%, were filed by those whose deductions, exemptions and tax credits wiped out any federal income-tax obligation. These aren't people who have overpaid their taxes or had so much withheld from their...

Oklahoman Editorial: Demos' stimulus plan comes up short 2003-01-08 Still licking their wounds from the November elections, House Democrats were determined to offer a stark contrast to President Bush's $674 billion, 10-year economic stimulus plan, unveiled yesterday in Chicago. Well, they succeeded. The Democratic alternative offered by new Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi could hardly be more different -- and, we think, inadequate. Where Bush's plan is bold and multi-layered, the Democrats' version is small and temporary. Bush's plan focuses on tax cuts for taxpayers -- more than $1,000 for 92 million Americans. The Democratic proposal cuts taxes (a little), even...

Oklahoman Editorial: Demos' stimulus plan comes up short 2003-01-08 Still licking their wounds from the November elections, House Democrats were determined to offer a stark contrast to President Bush's $674 billion, 10-year economic stimulus plan, unveiled yesterday in Chicago. Well, they succeeded. The Democratic alternative offered by new Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi could hardly be more different -- and, we think, inadequate. Where Bush's plan is bold and multi-layered, the Democrats' version is small and temporary. Bush's plan focuses on tax cuts for taxpayers -- more than $1,000 for 92 million Americans. The Democratic proposal cuts taxes (a little), even...