What are the "Bush tax cuts" doing now for the economy?

[SHRED]

Or for that matter the last 10 years?
Where are the jobs?

Questions unasked for the most part by the noise machines (radio and TV).

--

[cbdo2007]

1. Yes, that is the key here....if the tax cuts solve the problem, why did the problem occur

to begin with?

Sure, the answer isn't that simple, but it does make a key point in the argument. Why did we lose jobs with these tax cuts in place if they will "create jobs"?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. That's what I'd like to know

Republicans are "owning" it as their own *wildly successful* Bush-era "economic stimulus program".
:eyes: :rofl:

However, nobody, not even anybody our OUR side, is asking the glaringly obvious questions: What exactly have the Bush Tax Cuts, at least the ones for the upper class, actually DONE for the economy and why have we not experienced a significant growth of jobs during the 7-8 years they were fully in effect?

If the Republicans are correct and that the Bush Tax Cuts are needed to keep the economy going, you'd think that they'd be able to easily demonstrate how they helped the economy and if they can't, then why in Ra's sake do we need them to continue indefinitely?

:wtf:

[jpljr77]

3. Nothing. They are simply quid pro quo for the rich who get Republicans elected.

God, I wish that talking point would take off. Just call the tax cuts for the rich "quid pro quo."

[mwb970]

10. A "talking point" in a foreign language?

And a dead language at that! Somehow I don't think that would work with our current crop of brain-dead citizens.

[fasttense]

4. Well the very microscopic middle class tax cut did help

but the the uber wealthy tax give-away was part of the cause of the budget deficit. There are 3 reasons for the deficit the uber rich tax give away, the endless useless wars and the 2nd RepubliCON Great Depression.

But really does it matter? We are No Longer a Democracy. We are ruled by an Oligarchy of very rich sadistic balding white men.

A shared dictatorship runs on the whims of the dictators. So, their current whim is that they pay less for the society from which they have stolen their wealth. Those who have had their wealth stolen from them should pay more for the society that allows them to live in near poverty, constant insecurity and fear.

It's all about the whims of the kings. Welcome to serfdom.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Another BIG Lie

When I was canvassing I ran into too many people who had swallowed the right wing propaganda of how "tax cuts create jobs". 30 years of non-stop "trickle down" bullshit has long taken hold. It was a contributing fact for the Democratic losses that despite reality the rushpublicans still get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being "fisically responsible". It's total bullshit but the Democrats have done little to counter it over the years.

When I ran into people who spouted that claptrap I simply asked them about jobs over the past 7 years since the boooosh cuts for the rich took effect. How many new jobs were created? Then listen for the crickets. Most never even knew their taxes were cut since the amount was small...quickly sucked up by rising energy and other costs.

What creates jobs? People with money to spend on the consumer economy. It means a robust middle class where people are not only earning enough to afford the basics (housing, food and energy) with a couple bucks left over to either save or spend on consumer goods. It doesn't and never has come from the rich who bank their money rather than spend it. Until a majority of people in this country realize they've been fed major lines of crap will this attitude change.

[Buns_of_Fire]

13. Ah, but they DID create jobs!

You see, everyone just assumed that meant that those jobs would be in the United States (as opposed to China, India, Taiwan, etc., etc., etc.).

[GoCubsGo]

6. Been asking that for years.

I don't understand why this isn't being asked more frequently, either. But, considering three-quarters of the country thinks the tax cuts should either expire, or expire for the top 2%, I think most people already get the message. Yet, they keep pushing them as if everyone loves them...

[Red Knight]

7. Great question!

So obvious but right on.

We never hear that asked and it should be--by Dems--all the time.

Of course we won't.

[stray cat]

8. How much more in taxes would you pay if they expired?

[stray cat]

9. If you make 40,000 a year the increase would be less than 1000 more in taxes

[notadmblnd]

15. Depending on your dependants and other deductions,

it's going to be way less that 1k. For many people, 1k is a large sum of money. I just wanted to point out that statement could scare a lot of people. So I want to say that for people making under 40k with dependents and deductions, it's more thank likely not going to have an impact on them at all.

I find it ironic that those people who bitch about their taxes most- are the same people who have some of the lowest incomes and pay no (or very little) taxes anyway.

[MatthewStLouis]

11. What?I thought everybody was crushed under the weight of all those jobs trickling down?!

It is amazing that no one is talking about this. All the media does is watch the Corporate Republicans gyrate back and forth between their hot button topics. They should be asking Republicans: What is wrong with MIDDLE CLASS tax cuts? Why don't you support MIDDLE CLASS tax cuts? Why wasn't the economy booming after 8 years of Republican rule?



Our lousy democratic leaders need to learn how to stand up for OUR principles, instead of paying lip service to bipartisanship. Don't they realize that people pay attention to leaders who take a stand? Please, be a "populist" and stand up for the middle class!

[Ezlivin]

12. They completely saved the economy

The economy would have been much, much worse if not for the salvific effect the Bush Tax Cuts had.

Nah, I don't believe that bullshit, but that's what they'd say and expect you to disprove it.

[notadmblnd]

14. This is a very good discussion

it needs to be rec'ed up.

[Bandit]

16. It doesn't matter, our Republican President has decided he wants to keep them

Knowing full well all they do is add to our Debt and Deficit which he is going to be blamed for and will deserve the blame IMO..

[MatthewStLouis]

17. This is an important question!

Even here on DU people get distracted by all the noise and forget that WE (Democrats) are the ones who should be dictating the national debate/discussion. Why are democrats always busy responding to republican talking points (propaganda tools) instead of getting our message out?! This question and the question "Why not support middle class tax cuts?" should be on everyone's lips!

Please rec this thread.

[Poboy]

18. REPEAT the OPs question OVER AND OVER. -nt

[kenny blankenship]

19. I raised that objection earlier. Got the standard "Ye must have faith in tax cuts, brother!" reply

10 years no result to show for it, but we have to double down on tax cuts regardless; for our national religion demands it.

[TheKentuckian]

21. This is an important understanding. Digesting we have an official state religion may be the way out.

[disillusioned73]

20. K&R

:dem:

[Kablooie]

22. There are more jobs for lobbyists fighting to keep the rich tax cuts. That helps, doesn't it?