Just how would President Obama’s tax hikes create jobs and boost growth? Just what is the economic theory at play here? Well, the U.S. Treasury does its best to explain in its annual “green book.” Here is the rationale for hiking capital gains tax rates by two thirds:
Restoring the 20-percent capital gains tax rate for upper-income taxpayers and repealing the reduced tax rates on gains from assets held over five years for would reduce the deficit and make the tax system more progressive.
OK, and here’s the rationale for tripling dividend taxes:
Restoring the ordinary income tax treatment of qualified dividends for upper-income taxpayers would reduce the deficit and make the tax system more progressive. Taxing qualified dividends at the same rates as other ordinary income would also help simplify the tax code.
And for raising high-end income tax rates:
Limiting the tax benefit of upper-income taxpayers’ itemized deductions would reduce the deficit, make the income tax system more progressive, and distribute the cost of government more fairly among taxpayers of various income levels.
First of all, good luck getting that $800 billion. The Clinton tax hikes only raised a third of the projected revenue increase.
Second, in a time when the U.S. economy is burdened by zero (to falling) income growth and an ocean of unemployed, the president really views making the tax code “more progressive” as a priority? Really? That is ideology run wild. How about, instead, tax reform that makes the economy more competitive and reduces the penalty on savings and investment? Of course, that’s only applicable if you view the private sector as America’s growth engine. Obama, apparently, views the tax system as merely supplying the fuel for government to boost growth through spending.
Progressivity is not an issue with US tax code. When ~47% of households pay zero or less federal income tax it is plenty progressive
I agree that projected revenues will not reach that goal.
The Flat income growth badge belongs to the poor and middle class, not the ones he is applying the tax hikes to, you criticism fails here. Incomes for the rich have not been flat.
You say increasing taxes won’t help the economy. But you seem to be pro growth. Please explain how cutting spending will help the economy. I make the austerity will shrink the economy argument and i do it pretty well, what do you have.
I have no problem taxing dividends as ordinary income. But I also think it should be paired with the abolishment of the corporate income tax.
Hadn’t he passed up the chance of cooperating with Canada as far as the construction of the Keystone pipeline is concerned he wouldn’t be forced to make such stupid decisions. The Canadian energy sector has recently been on the rise so the revenue could be increased in the following decades. But now the Chinese are in the leading role and Obama is left with little alternative but to discriminate the wealthy and certain corporations that contribute to the normal functioning of our economy.