Bush Pushes Case for Permanent Tax Cuts
By NEDRA PICKLER,
Associated Press Writer - Sat Apr 1, 9:18 PM ET
news.yahoo.com
President Bush used the upcoming income tax-filing deadline and his weekly radio address to promote tax-cut proposals and set up an election-year debate with Democrats over the issue.
In the broadcast Saturday, Bush urged Congress to permanently extend tax cuts that he pushed into law during his first term, which are set to expire in coming years.
"Some Democrats in Washington are insisting that we let that happen, or even repeal the tax cuts now," Bush said as he spent the weekend at his Texas ranch. "In either case, that would weaken our economy and would leave American families with a big tax hike that they do not expect and will not welcome."
Democrats argue Bush's emphasis on sweeping tax cuts is driving up the deficit. They say his tax relief primarily benefits the wealthy.
The president argued that he can meet his goal of cutting the deficit in half by the end of his time in office through pro-growth economic policies and spending restraint.
"The evidence is overwhelming: The opponents of tax cuts were wrong," he said. "Tax relief has helped to create jobs and opportunities for American families, and it's helped our economy grow."
Bush is down in the polls, which find most Americans objecting to the war in Iraq, and has said he recognizes that midterm election politics is making Republicans in Congress nervous. He used the popular GOP call for tax relief to appeal to Americans' pocketbooks with the April 15 filing deadline approaching.
"As tax day approaches later this month, many American families are now finishing their tax returns," Bush said. "And as you do, an important debate is taking place in Washington that will affect the amount you will pay in the years ahead."
* * * |
