Reply #52: Well, I'll agree with the big Dick on this....

[ElaineinIN]

IF we pass tax cuts, they OUGHT to be permanent (in terms of not self-terminating) and shouldn't be any of this gradual increase, phase in bull shit.

Dick and Bush are actually right on something... it does make it difficult to plan, and as an economic matter, are really counterproductive.

The thing that chaps my ass, though, is that they broke it, they bought it. The reason why these cuts sunset is because they were so expensive in the out years, they couldn't pay for them. Because they weren't offsetting in the out years, they wouldn't have complied with Senate rules. So, the price they paid for having these damn cuts is the sunset.

In addition, we haven't even seen the really big cuts yet. Amazingly enough, the really big cuts come first in 2004 (election year) but then in 2008 and 2009--after Bush's second term. Delay the big cuts, delay the pain, delay having to take some fucking responsibility for the mess you're creating. But hey, I can say today, I gave you marriage penalty relief, I got rid of the dreaded death tax blah blah blah, but I won't be around when the real shit hits the fan.

Assholes.