BUSH NEEDS TO INCREASE TAXES



The disaster created by Katrina should be the focal point for President Bush to acknowledge the federal tax revenue is insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs in the United States. The devastation created by this storm will surpass any natural disaster in our history. It has destroyed over 90,000 mi.² and displaced more than 1.5 million Americans.

The resources that will be necessary to rebuild this region as well as the ongoing needs of the 1.5 million people who have no jobs, no homes or anything else, will require a major commitment of resources that do not exist within the Federal Budget. We can not just hand out money that does not exist!

Prior to this disaster, the United States was running an unacceptable deficit and the aftermath of Katrina should make it clear that now is the time to change they way we are managing the financial affairs of the United States. The magnitude of this disaster together with the existing deficit mandate that the federal government increase the revenue to meet those needs. George W. Bush needs to take a lesson from his father who raised taxes and from Ronald Reagan who raised taxes when the need was clear. There are NO cuts that can pay for this huge undertaking.

In the past, when we have had major disasters and wars, the country increased taxes to pay for those needs. We must restore this region and the port facilities which will require not only rebuilding homes but the entire infrastructure in this area of the United States. If George W. Bush will not admit his fiscal plan for this country is not working, it is time for the Congress of the United States to act. They need to make it clear to Bush that if he will not be part of the solution Congress will pass the needed legislation over his objection. NO MORE EXCUSES- We MUST provide the needed funding to pay for the restoration of this region and pay for our other needs without borrowing any more money!
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Reply #1 Top
For all the JoeUsers that say the economy is doing great, read the Vanguard report below:

Economic Week in Review: August 29-September 2, 2005
The week's economic news, which excluded the impact of Hurricane
Katrina, conveyed a picture of an economy that is growing, but at a
less robust pace. The estimate of second-quarter growth in real gross
domestic product was revised downward to an annual rate of 3.3%, and
job growth and durable-goods orders slowed. Consumers' tireless
spending has caught up with them: The personal savings rate dropped to
a record low, perhaps helping to explain this week's news that the
poverty rate increased in 2004 for the fourth year in a row. For the
week, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.1% to 1,218 and the yield of the 10-year
U.S. Treasury note fell 16 basis points to 4.03%.
To read Vanguard(R) Economic Week in Review in its entirety, go to:
http://www.vanguard.com/visit/econweek090205



Note the the poverty rate INCREASED in 2004 for the FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW!
Reply #2 Top
For all the JoeUsers that say the economy is doing great, read the Vanguard report below:


Col why don't you respond to the posts that show how great the economy is doing. You ignore those posts, why is that col?

If you want to raise taxes col, fine. Just raise them on everybody, including the poor.
Reply #3 Top
The economy is doing well for the high and upper middle income and NOTHING for all the remander. The poor can not afford to live as is and the wealthy not only can afford the added tax but are the people that received the BIG tax cuts. Increasing taxes on the lower and middle income workers will also lower spending. The group that should sholder this added burden are the wealthy. It is not a matter of "wanting " to increases taxes, we need the added Federal revenue!.
Reply #4 Top
Increasing taxes on the lower and middle income workers will also lower spending. The group that should sholder this added burden are the wealthy. It is not a matter of "wanting " to increases taxes, we need the added Federal revenue!.


A minimal tax increase on the poor will barely have a negative effect. They are the one's who are straining our society, it's time they start to pay. Because I have made right choices in my life, I will not bare the burdon for people who didn't.
Reply #5 Top
I think A tempory "katrina" tax is approiate gene. tax all good sold in america an extra penny all good, food, gas, everything.
Reply #6 Top
Island Dog

The poor can barely live without paying more taxes. The rich would pay the added taxes from their surplus. Many of these people have lost EVERYTHING and the cost to rebuild the ports etc are to benefit the entire nation. I hope this country has only a few people that think the way you some others on Joeuser think.
Reply #7 Top
I paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes last year.  I think I paid my share.  Feel free to chip in though.
Reply #8 Top
If you want to raise taxes col, fine. Just raise them on everybody, including the poor.


Island,

How about responsibly spending what we have instead of looking for MORE? While I agree that a tax increase should hit "across the board", the federal budget, which amounts to just short of $8600 per man, woman and child in this country, should be MORE than adequate to cover even emergency scenarios such as this.

When conservatives such as yourself begin advocating for tax hikes, it's small wonder why so many are disappointed in the GOP.
Reply #9 Top
The poor can barely live without paying more taxes. The rich would pay the added taxes from their surplus. Many of these people have lost EVERYTHING and the cost to rebuild the ports etc are to benefit the entire nation. I hope this country has only a few people that think the way you some others on Joeuser think.


I'm not talking about the poor people in the affected areas.

You are back to your old class warfare arguement again col.
Reply #10 Top
When conservatives such as yourself begin advocating for tax hikes, it's small wonder why so many are disappointed in the GOP.


I'm not advocating a tax hike. I just suggested since col is so quick to raise taxes for everything, then everybody should pay, not just the "evil rich" like he proposes.
Reply #11 Top
I never said" Evil Rich" . What I said, is that the wealthy got the Big tax cuts and they are the group that can pay more in taxes without impacting their ability to live. How anyone can say that that we should have more then we needed to deal with this distruction, has lost touch with reality. We are spending $600 billion more then we are taxing BEFORE dealing with this disaster which will take YEARS to repair. If you Draginol did actually pay hundreds of thousands in Federal Taxes, you can well afford a littler more since you must have received a major cut in your taxes since Bush took over. Just go back to the rates prior to 2000. After all, the Bush Tax cuts were to return an "Projected surplus" that does not exist. Thus, you got a tax cut that was not justified since there is no money from which to give you a tax cut! It was another Bush LIE!!!
Reply #12 Top
If you Draginol did actually pay hundreds of thousands in Federal Taxes, you can well afford a littler more since you must have received a major cut in your taxes since Bush took over. Just go back to the rates prior to 2000. After all, the Bush Tax cuts were to return an "Projected surplus" that does not exist. Thus, you got a tax cut that was not justified since there is no money from which to give you a tax cut! It was another Bush LIE!!!


Who are you to decide what he or anybody else can afford? This man owns his own company and has worked hard to get it, and you think he should pay more taxes "just because". How liberal of you col.

Col, enough with the Bush lies. I have given you and the others plenty of opportunity to prove your allegiations of lies, and not one of you took them. So if you can't prove it then shut up about it.
Reply #13 Top
Col, enough with the Bush lies. I have given you and the others plenty of opportunity to prove your allegiations of lies, and not one of you took them. So if you can't prove it then shut up about it.


Actually, we have posted over and over stuff that backs our contentions. The fact that you either refuse to believe it, or more likely, refuse to read it, is not any fault of the Col's or me or any other liberally thinking, or fiscally conservative thinking person here. What I'm really get sick of is your constant bullshit over proof, wherein you cannot provide anything except crap from newsmax or xxxxx.gov. Damn, it's so hard to tolerate stupid people........
Reply #14 Top
COL, at what point does one say it's a rollback of a tax cut rather than an actual tax increase? I ask what you think, in that really the way I look at it is to just roll back the tax cuts. There is no question that our society cannot afford the cuts in revenue, implemented by the dubya regime, to the various programs that are in dire need of major infusions of cash.
Reply #15 Top
When Bush started talking about his tax cuts, both Greenspan and O'Neil told Bush the tax cuts should be tied to the surplus he said existed. They both told him NOT to allow the country to retuurn to annual budget deficits. Thus, we should return to the tax rates before all the cuts since they were predicated on a surplus that does not exist! The fact is that all the tax cuts that Bush got passed have not taken effect. The Estate Tax does not end until 2010 and will cut another 45 Billion per year from the federal revenue to benefit less then 1 % of the American people! As to what people can afford- The wealthy did better during the 1990's then ever with the highet tax rates prior to the Bush tax cuts. Thus, the wealthy can do just fine at the tax rates in effect prior to the Bush cuts! That added revenue is needed to meet our obligations as a country!
Reply #16 Top
Hey, better yet, you could crack a gradeschool civics book, READ it, and address your complaint to Congress. You know, the people who legislate our taxes.

Hey, how about next article bitch about the menu at McDonald's and demand Bush change it. Oh, and have him come and mow my yard.
Reply #17 Top
Actually, we have posted over and over stuff that backs our contentions. The fact that you either refuse to believe it, or more likely, refuse to read it, is not any fault of the Col's or me or any other liberally thinking, or fiscally conservative thinking person here. What I'm really get sick of is your constant bullshit over proof, wherein you cannot provide anything except crap from newsmax or xxxxx.gov. Damn, it's so hard to tolerate stupid people........


Dabe, neither you or col have proved any of your conspiracy bs against Bush. I have started several posts asking for documents proof. Nobody has ever provided it. I see you can't keep your profanity controlled.

Col, I asked who you were to dictate what other people should pay in taxes. Are you giving up the majority of your income col?
Reply #18 Top
Treasury Secretary John Snow said he had discussed the disaster with Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

He said both men felt it would not have a significant long-term effect on the US economy, although growth would be slowed for a short period.


Link
Reply #19 Top
No one comments of the fact that the Bush Tax cuts were to return the "Projected Surplus". Since there is no "Surplus", why have the tax cuts not been reversed? No one comments on the fact Bush was told by the two top money managers in this country, NOT TO RETURN TO ANNUAL BUDGET DEFICITS and TO TIE THE TAX CUTS TO THE SURPLUS!

Sec Snow can tell the 1.5 Million people that have no job, home or anything else that. The increase in the energy prices could have a MAJOIR and LONG term impact EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY and on our economy.

I have posted the sources of all my statements about the impact of the Bush policies. In addition, what more proof do you need then to see the increase in Energy Costs? The increase in the National Debt? The increase in the trade deficit? I posted the Vanguard economic revier that documented that the poverty Index has increased EVERY YEAR for the past FOUR YEARS. What more proof do you need then to look as the PISS POOR RESPONSE of Bush to Katrina? What more proof do you need as to the failure of the Iraq War? More Dead? More injuries? More Billions of your tax dollars going down that RAT HOLE? What more then the 3 milion people that came across our border last year to see we are not controlling the security of our country? PROOF? You wouild not know proof if it hit you in the head! Bush is a failure as President just as he was in almost EVERY other phase of his life. From his drug and booz use, his academic achievements, his business ventures and his service ( if you call it that) in the military. He has been a consistant FAILURE and his handling of Katrina is just another example of his inability to perform as President! Just like the bumper sticker I saw said: " On January 20, 2009 we will fix an ERROR.
Reply #20 Top
Sec Snow can tell the 1.5 Million people that have no job, home or anything else that. The increase in the energy prices could have a MAJOIR and LONG term impact EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY and on our economy.


Oh, so now you don't agree with him.

I have posted the sources of all my statements about the impact of the Bush policies. In addition, what more proof do you need then to see the increase in Energy Costs? The increase in the National Debt? The increase in the trade deficit? I posted the Vanguard economic revier that documented that the poverty Index has increased EVERY YEAR for the past FOUR YEARS. What more proof do you need then to look as the PISS POOR RESPONSE of Bush to Katrina? What more proof do you need as to the failure of the Iraq War? More Dead? More injuries? More Billions of your tax dollars going down that RAT HOLE? What more then the 3 milion people that came across our border last year to see we are not controlling the security of our country? PROOF? You wouild not know proof if it hit you in the head! Bush is a failure as President just as he was in almost EVERY other phase of his life. From his drug and booz use, his academic achievements, his business ventures and his service ( if you call it that) in the military. He has been a consistant FAILURE and his handling of Katrina is just another example of his inability to perform as President! Just like the bumper sticker I saw said: " On January 20, 2009 we will fix an ERROR.


Another useless hate filled rant. Did you use all the talking points from the DNC this morning?
Reply #21 Top
Snow is a Bush ass kisser. We had a Sec Of the Treas that knew what needed to be done. Bush did not listed to him and got rid of him.

You have not refuted ONE point I have made. Your comment, "Another useless filled rant" is itself USELESS!!!!!!!!! Bush and his policies have FAILED this country from Jan 20 2001 to Sept 4 2005!
Reply #22 Top
You have not refuted ONE point I have made. Your comment, "Another useless filled rant" is itself USELESS!!!!!!!!! Bush and his policies have FAILED this country from Jan 20 2001 to Sept 4 2005!



Col I have refuted your opinions for months. We have constantly showed the good things about the economy that you ignore and refuse to post in.
Reply #23 Top
Since there is no "Surplus", why have the tax cuts not been reversed?


Not only that, they are working to make them permanent, sans sunset dates. That's obcene.
Reply #24 Top
When discussing how marvelous the economy is doing for america, ask those for whom it's not, as that is really the indicator of a good economy. If the rich are getting richer that does not make for a good economy. Societal issues must be measured by those at the lower ends of the scale, those for whom an improvement would or would not benefit.

Today, in the Newsday Link , is a report that discusses there is really no recovery for lower paid workers.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Wages for lower-paid workers stagnated in recent years even as New York's economy grew modestly, according to a report from a labor-backed group.

The Fiscal Policy institute reported that while output per worker in New York increased by 6 percent from 2001 to 2004, average wages increased by 1.8 percent. Gains from that increased productivity went into profits and to higher-wage earners, while real wages for lower-paying workers have stayed the same since 2001, according to the report.


And more:

The institute's findings dovetail into what other economic researchers have been reporting for years. Kent Gardner of the Center for Governmental Research, which was not involved in the report, said New York is bedeviled by the same economic phenomena affecting the whole country, namely the movement of labor to other areas of the globe.

"You have a lot more workers with the same amount of capital, so corporate profits are up and wages are down. It's a very, very scary story for the state of New York," Gardner said.


It's hard to tell average americans, those not at the top of the economic ladder, that the economy is good, when they are struggling from paycheck to paycheck. The fact that CEO's make more money and the disparity between them and their workers grows is indicative of one thing: greedy CEO's.
Reply #25 Top
The funniest part is if Bush did find some way to raise taxes, these same yutzes would be back here in tri-cornered hats screaming "No taxation without representation!!"

Am I the only one seeing this? Why not blame the Supreme Court for not raising taxes? People ignorantly call them "Bush's tax cuts", but Bush didn't make up the majority of the votes in the Congress.