So did Obama "cut" taxes when he authorized the temporary "tax cut" that was part of the stimulus bill?
Originally Posted by Whirlaway
The 2009 "stimulus" bill was really just an ill-considered collection of gimmicks and political payoffs to favored constituencies. That's why it didn't do much to boost the nation's prosperity. And it's true of the "tax cuts" as well as all of the other elements of the ARRA.
A better way to look at this issue is to go back four years and consider the net effect of everything that's transpired during that period. If something happens and then "unhappens," you might reflexively assume that the net effect is the same as if it didn't happen in the first place. But that may or may not be the case, depending on the event.
For instance, in the case of a temporary tax rate change that ends up being rescinded, some money is going to end up other than where it would have been absent the policy change. But how much was extracted from lower-income taxpayers' accounts during the past four years relative to what would have been the case absent any policy changes, and at what rate are those taxpayers paying tax today relative to four years ago? Everything else is just noise.
If you were to argue that the policies pursued by Obama (as well as his predecessor and many who have served in congress) will necessitate a large tax increase on the middle class at some unknown future time, you would be on much more solid ground. But that's
not what you've been arguing, is it?
...Politicians get too much political leverage from promoting class warfare. The FairTax would eliminate that, so it is a non-starter. This is partly the reason I don't, and will probably never trust this government. They are only about obtaining and retaining power. If they truly cared about the people, they would do away with this monstrous abuse of power.
Originally Posted by CuteOldGuy
Geez...are you trying to prohibit these people from having any fun?
A policy idea will never go anywhere if it removes from political hacks the opportunity of engaging in political hackery!