Do any of the conservatives preaching about lower taxes realize how much it is  hurting the economy?
920113
Worse yet...its a lie.  By "cutting taxes" but participating in wreckless spending, the national defiict is 9 trillion and climbing. Who is going to pay this debt? By Bush's deficit spending folly, entirely supported by dittohead Republicans in congress, we are guaranteed to have to raise taxes to repay the debts accumulated.  Of course, when that happens, the republicans will blame Dems for "taxing"...and the beat goes on...
106491
Raises taxes or lowers taxes.
963990
republicans like myself think taxes are an evil act from satan.
75055
Without getting into politics too much, this is a myth typically propogated by the liberal left. The following are the actual federal tax rates taken from the IRS site; you'll note that the wealthier pay MORE taxes. State tax rates are similar in this regard.\n\n\nTaxable Income    Tax Rate\n$0 - 7300         10%\n7,300 - 29,700    $730 + 15% of amount over $7300\n29,700 - 71,950   4,090.00 + 25% of amt over $29,700\n71,950 - 150,150  14,652.50 + 28%  of amt over $71,950\n150,150- 326,450  36,548.50 + 33%  of amt over $150,150\n326,450 +         94,727.50 + 35% of amt over $326,450\n\nIf the tax rates were the same, say 10% as an example, for both the wealthy and poor. The wealthy would still pay more (10% of $0 income = $0 in taxes paid, 10% of $1M income = $100K taxes paid).  \n\nThe graduated tax structure we use shifts even more of the taxes to the wealthy - this makes sense considering they have more disposable income.\n\nAccording to a CBO report (released in 2005), the wealthiest 20% paid 83% of the individuals income tax and corporate income taxes. There are many on the left that would like to increase this to 100% for political reasons. This approach may alienate the top 20% but would benefit the remaining 80% of the taxpayers.  A margin like that would be wonderful if you were trying to solicit support in an election. \n\nHowever, the wealthy don't simply hide money under a mattress. Even if they buy a yacht, there are many, many laborers and suppliers involved in the process. It creates jobs and they further invest in other companies. And those folks spend the money to further stimulate the economy. This is why the trickle-down effect has been effective in boosting the economy after the tax-cuts of the Bush administration. Note that even after the tax cuts, the wealthy still pay a higher percentage.\n\nIn Russia, where tax rates were astronomical, a lot of people cheated on taxes and it was found to be a demotivator. Why should those with the ability and resources work hard if the government was going to confiscate most of the fruits of their labor. (Besides, do you really want the federal government spending all of your cash? I bet you could put it to better use) However, when the tax rates were more moderate, more people actually filed taxes and productivity increased. The taxes gained went up significantly.\n\nOne item of note is that many of the wealthy do hide otherwise-taxable income in tax shelters and deductions. A Fair Tax (national sales tax) has been proposed that would be more fair for all involved and cut the administrative resources required to manage taxation. Everyone would pay the same tax rate. Those that have more disposable income would end up paying more in the end. A credit would be issued back to all registered taxpayers in an amount equal to the amount of taxes that would be paid on poverty income. In this scenario, those that avoid filing income taxes would still end up paying since it would be collected at the time of purchase. Studies have shown this approach would actually lower the cost of items purchased by the amount of the new taxes.\n\nA bit of a long way to get here, but lowering taxes of wealthy still has them paying 83% of corporate/individual income tax, results in more people actually filing correctly, and leads to economic growth through consumption and investment.
255121
so? can you explain to us how that effects the average working family in this country? The stock holders make money when people get laid off as well as when there are expansions. It is a meaningless point to quote one aspect of the economy. A better question would be: who is going to have to pay back the world's largest recorded deficit ? Who is paying the interest on that right now? Where could all that wasted money be going other than financing our ever sky rocketing debt? The stock market is the biggest pyramid scheme ever conceived. Every once in a while the market plummets and the big fish gobble up all the little fish and start over again. It is a vicious cycle for anyone that is not of mammoth proportions when hard times hit. It may as well be the lottery. All the things that you point to as good for right now are artificially held in limbo until all this fiscal irresponsibility comes to bear, then we are all in for a world of pain.\n\n  The average working family already has jobs, or they woulf be unemployed, you must be a brain surgeon I guess.\nwho was talking about social security....bait and switch debating is ineffective.\n\n I noticed you skipped mentioning about the debt (the main point). Your have no point except for the sound of your own voice (in your head as you type). \n\n When I hear a fascist call me a whiner, I get goosebumps.\n\nwatch LOU DOBBS if you want the truth about our economy and the real problems that swirl around your head while you stare blankly in the darkness that is your own ignorance.\n\n  I believe it is you who is the hypocrit. If you look a little closer than you would care to, the facts might come out and bite you. Fact....the 5 million jobs you refer too are replacing jobs that were lost by downsizing, at a fraction of the pay of the original jobs lost. Shrinking the middle class. Fact....you cannot single out the dow jones and stock market as an acurate indicator of our over all economy because it is one sided. So you would rather dwell on a possible positive for your side than to delve a little deeper and see what is really going on. I suppose I can't blame you there....it gives your argument more flash, but very little substance. You are only looking to prove your own point here, so I will leave you to it in your little bubble world that you call right wing denial. Good luck with all that money you must have rolling in. Where do you keep it all...there must be truck loads.
926152
The Republicans claim to be fiscal conservatives. That means you don't spend more money than you have. Unfortunately, they always INCREASE spending and DECREASE the amount of taxes to pay for it. It's just reckless.\n\nThen, when Democrats act responsibly, and raise taxes to try and get the budget back in line, the GOP bitches and moans. It's like dealing with a 4 year old who thinks you can buy a house for $10. Luckily, the grown-ups are back in charge.
624943
Conservatives have that as a platform, if you just read between the lines. Like Bush's " tax cuts across the board" is translated into tax cuts for the very rich. So they are the party of cooperate welfare and take more bribes then anyone.
843263
I would say it is "because they know people who vote democrat don't understand economics and they are deceiving them to achieve their own agenda."\n\nThe reasons behind this?\n\nWithout a doubt, the single most difficult fact of public finance to get across to people is the understanding that the burden for the heavy taxation of the wealthy disproportionately falls on the middle class and working poor. People either cannot, or will not recognize it.\n\nConsider the new taxes imposed in the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990. As part of the new taxes imposed by Congress, the law imposed a 10% luxury tax on high ticket items such as private jets and yachts. While many in the working class and the poor cheered because they thought that finally the rich are going to have to pay, they were wrong. The rich did not pay -- everyone else did.\n\nBecause the rich believed the tax was unfair they simply refused to pay it. They canceled contracts for new jets and yachts. The bottom line was that ship-builders throughout New England were forced to close down. A great many hard working men and women who worked in these yards were thrown out of work, and subsequently went on public assistance. So who was hurt? The Rich? No. The working class got hurt.\n\nIn a post-expenditure analysis the GAO reported that the tax generated about $75 Million, but cost the government about $125 Million from a combination of reduced revenues and increased outlays to take care of the newly unemployed.\n\nThere is a simple proposition in taxation policy that (if it were possible) I'd gladly tattoo on the forehead of every single man and woman in government (federal, state and local)\n\nTHE EFFECTS OF TAXATION ALWAYS FLOW DOWNHILL.\n\nIf you overtax corporations -- consumers pay higher prices.\nIf you overtax the wealthy -- the working class pays.\nIf you overtax the middle class -- consumer buying dries up.\n\nUnfortunately, Modern tax policy isn't about raising revenues anymore; it's about making sure one's constitutents feel good that "the other guy" is getting stuck with the bill. The answer, of course, is tax equity; but in these days of polarized politics, what should be a policy based on reason and sensibility has degenerated into another blood-sport.\n\nThanks Jack...
697073
well gee, then the poor would get even poorer, right?  \n\nI don't get why your question is directed at Republicans. \nI pay a shitload of taxes, and i'm lower middle class, as well as self employed which means i pay more taxes.
753472
The economy is getting ready to crash.  Congress has enacted several laws in the last couple years that are having a direct effect on our future economy.\n\nIt is now legal to charge nearly 40% interest on credit cards (that used to be called USARY, but now, it's called first step to bankruptcy) Our interest rates have gone through the roof, the fees financial institutions are allowed to charge are breaking us, with the rise in prices for gas, heating & insurance, and the falling home values, there are going to be many, many people out of jobs in the next year.\n\nAnd meanwhile, what are elected officials worrying about?  Crap, gay rights, abortions, their own paychecks, retirements and health care.  Sure as hell not us.\n\nAnd I would hazard a guess that there are very few people who own their homes outright.  In fact, many people owe more for their homes than they can sell them for.\n\nWe are in for a rude awakening my friend.  \n\nWhile we continue to sue and tax American companies out of business, we sit back and wonder where are all the jobs going.  And don't tell me "service industry" that line only works if there are people with money to buy the services.  Here in Metro Detroit and Michigan, even McDonalds is starting to lay off.\n\nAs my company does business with other companies all over the country I can tell you this, we are headed for a serious recession.  Many small industrial companies are teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.  70% of the jobs in this country are directly related to small business.  While our local and state governments give all the tax breaks to the large corporations for the benefit of the unions and their foreign suppliers they now buy from,  the rest of us are drowning and losing our incomes.  Yet our cost of living has shot through the roof.\n\nBelieve me, or not, it's coming and it's going to be as ugly as it was in the early 80's.  History is repeating itself and no one seems to notice.\n\nGood luck to us.
81873
No, it is not in their personal best interest.  A simple flat tax would fix all, but they won't do it, as the population would understand each time taxes were increased, and it would prevent them from using tax laws to reward cronies, businesses and supporters.
918128
They shouldn't be showing that, not at all!\n\nI'm a conservative and I approve this message
1004383
You are NOT a liberal.  The Republicans are liberal.  Just look at their spending record, now that's liberal.  Only an idiot like Bush would think that by taking in less money by lowering Taxes, then giving record Tax break, then spending money like never before and sending the national deficit to record highs is a good way to fix the economy.\n\nThe Democrats are NOW the conservative party when it comes to spending the nation's tax dollars.  Spread that message.
240954
Yes.  The IRS has documented that the top 50% of earners pay 96% of all the income taxes.  The top 1% pay more than a third!  So the argument to tax more of the wealthy people really isn't practical.  And when tax cuts are given, the wealthy are more likely to reinvest it and create jobs -- shouldn't they get back a proportional amount if they pay the most?  And because the bottom 50% pay so little comparatively, a tax cut to that tax bracket doesn't do much good.  But I'd take it if given!\n\nBottom line:  The suggestion to tax the wealthy even MORE than they're taxed now is only political rhetoric.  It gets the vote of the poor and lower middle class.
645558
We are experiencing relatively high levels of inflation. That is why our dollars are losing value in comparison. But you should remember that this makes American goods more expensive, which will decrease net exports....this should make some conservatives happy (those who argue that we have a negative trade balance with countries like China). Anyway, this is not necessarily a bad situation, it just depends on how you view it on the political spectrum. Oh, P.S. I am a conservative also, I just read what I wrote and realized that it came across wrong. No offense
1055309
No. And No. Americans are heavily taxed as it is. The Bible reads render to Ceasar { meaning the government }  that is due Ceaser and to God the things that are His. This does not mean to pay half of what you make to taxes as it seems that it is going toward that way.
382312
Yes. Where shall we send them? Come up with something, quick! By the way, it's not conservatives. The conservative party has been hijacked by a bunch of paranoid, end times, suicide politicians who have been planning their takeover for years! \n\nhttp://www.thefourreasons.org/