Bush Breaks 150-Year History of Higher U.S. Taxes in Wartime

[RedEarth]

Bush Breaks 150-Year History of Higher U.S. Taxes in Wartime

By Brian Faler

Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) -- It was once considered Americans' patriotic duty: enduring extraordinary tax increases in wartime to help finance the fight.

Not today. Iraq is the only major U.S. conflict, except for the 1846-48 Mexican-American War, in which citizens haven't been asked to make a special financial sacrifice. President George W. Bush opposes tax increases, even as the costs escalate far beyond predictions and he calls for more troops.

``It's a reflection of either a lack of public support for the war or perhaps an unwillingness of the Bush administration'' to test its popularity, said Elliot Brownlee, an economic historian retired from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The Bush administration, which says any tax increase would harm the economy, is financing the Iraq conflict with borrowed money. That spares policy makers and pro-war politicians from riling voters already soured on the war.

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain said that while he's ``not averse to asking for more sacrifice,'' he rejects a tax increase, even one on wealthy Americans, to help pay for the war.

``I'm not sure what the point would be,'' said McCain,


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aCg_jCpWuAXU&refer=home

[WI_DEM]

1. war time? When did congress declare war?

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. I've been wondering that also. Don't recall that happening.

:shrug: The rich can't afford higher taxes, it would greatly reduce their ability to buy multiple homes and take luxury vacations. They shouldn't have to suffer like that, "war" or not. :sarcasm:

[Tennessee Gal]

3. Is McCain insane?

``I'm not sure what the point would be,'' said McCain

The point would be to pay for what you do and not put it on the backs of future generations, idiot.

[ClintonTyree]

4. The point would be...

that any Republican, say......himself, would be DOA in the '08 Presidential election. That's what he's trying to say, I think. What a freaking assclown! :grr: