How did the Bush tax cuts for earners over 250k make the US economy better?

It's so funny to hear people on this site talk about the unemployment rate being low when G.W. Bush was giving his tax cuts to the rich. He inherited a presidency that was perfect, thanks to Bill Clinton, we had a surplus, everyone was working, and the U.S. belonged to the citizens of the U.S. Granted, some businesses were selling out to the Japanese, but when you went to the store an American was behind the counter, or pumping your gas, Dunkin Donuts was actually a bakery, with fresh donuts made daily, remember the guy who did the commercial, "Time To Make the Donuts", when you hired someone to do a job at your house, an American showed up. Not anymore. When Bush got in he took all of it away from us, allowing illegals to cross the border and do, "The Jobs That Americans Won't Do." Crock of Sh--, he sold that line throughout his Presidency. I don't know how people forget so easily how we got where we are. Now, President Obama has inherited Bush's destruction of the U.S. and the high rate of unemployed Americans came with it, this is the clean up after. I compare the U.S. during Bush's terms, as the same as watching a beautiful neighborhood, turn into a slum, it feels like we allowed people from the wrong side of the tracks into the most important job in this country, and he brought all of his scumbag friends, and they took a beautiful country and turned it into a homeless shelter. They left our country in ruins, and now we're stuck trying to pick up the pieces and bring this country back to it's original state. But, no one remembers how we got to this place we find ourselves in now, to me I remember it like it was yesterday, but so many people have short term memory loss, they only repeat what they are told to say, not what they watched happen in front of thier own eyes. The rich tax cuts were the beginning of the ruin of America.

Bush's spending was a problem. He spent money like a Democrat. THAT'S when the Tea Parties actually started. This being said. Those who earn over 250k will ALWAYS pay more in taxes. It's not like the highest tax bracket is lower than others, like some bell shaped curve.

This top 10% is the engine that drives American business, both small and large. These people know how to make wealth for themselves and for their businesses. Get off their backs and it allows their business to expand.

The Bush tax cuts effect more that just income tax. Capital gains and estate taxes are effected. Clinton cut the capital gains tax and an already good economy went into overdrive. The Chinese have cut their taxes on investments and capital gains. Even COMMUNISTS understand that tax cuts work. A number of business are proprietorships. If the owner dies next year. These businesses are given a bill for as much as 55% of the estate of the owner. The business has to be sold to pay it. This is why farms have an exemption. This is a draconian grab for money by people that don't understand how money is made.

Not renewing the Bush tax cuts is the same as hiking taxes. NEVER a good idea in a recession.

apparently, "shovel ready" 's idea of a "soaring economy" is one in which median income DECLINES 30%.

to be fair, when we were looking at a budget surplus the republicans wanted a tax cut (they got it) and the democrats wanted to increase social spending while everyone else in america was screaming "start paying down the national debt!"

both sides should be flayed alive for not listening.

but to answer your question, the Bush tax cut didn't help anybody making less than 250K, and certainly HURT those of us on the lower end of the scale.

The Democrats are starting to balk at repealing the tax cuts. They know it will make them look good before the election. It will really make little to no difference. The most massive tax increases in our history go into effect next year. In Jan. everyone that works will have 3.8 percent of their gross income taxed for Health Care. This is an entitlement that does not take effect until between 2014 and 2019. We will pay ten years of taxes for six years of "Health Care". Remember these are the same people that broke Social Security and Medicare. Does anyone believe with the trillions of dollars in debt and deficit that as soon as these Health Care taxes reach D.C. they won't be spent. It is unavoidable. Health Care will be broke the day it takes effect.

Don't buy into the liberal BS. When President Bush lowered tax rates, he gave tax cuts to everyone who paid taxes. Those who did not pay federal income tax could not get a tax cut. And they are still whining about it.

When people have more money to spend and they feel good about the economy, they buy things. The more they buy, the more money gets circulated.

The problem is with government spending. No matter how much is paid in taxes, Congress spends more. Spending is the problem, not tax rates or tax cuts.

It didn't. That extra cash led to wild speculation in a market deregulated by Republican congresses. That market crashed and the Democrats, as after the prevous depression, had to pick up the pieces.

Let's see if I have this right: The Chinese don't have a heavily regulated and well taxed economy.

Despite the beliefs of most posting here, it's been proven the Bush tax cuts, for those making over $250 grand/year, did absolutely nothing to help the economy, and in fact, harmed it. Not one job created, no trickle down, no nothing except adding to the debt.

When was the economy better under Bush? its been going downhill for 9 years. What we need to be talking about is a fair or flat tax, taxes shouldn't be based on your income level, we should be practicing free enterprises, not Capitalism with its progressive tax system and subsidies, Capitalism opens the door to hocus pocus schemes, a system that encourages people to get out of paying and who can blame them with our screwy Government, we need a simple fair system, a flat or the fair tax, no deductions, clean and simple.

I believe that the high-income earners should pay their fair share, which they have not done in my lifetime.

The idea is that if taxes are low for the filthy rich, they will spend the money, poor/working people will do things to earn that money, and thus provide jobs.

They call this "trickle-down" economy, but it is what Keynesian economics is; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynesian_economics

The thing of it is, what the Extreme Left-Wing Liberal (AKA Communist) Media refuses to admit, Bush lowered taxes for all income levels. The Democrats actually increase taxes for the lower and middle class, but harp about tax breaks for the rich.

If this was true, the Democrats would not constantly spend more money for re-election that the Republicans.

It is a wonder that Obama doesn't require us to call him "your Majesty, the King" and Nancy Pelosi as a Baroness.

The Bush tax cuts were for everyone that PAID TAXES, not just for over 250K people as EVERYONE WILL FIND OUT NEXT YEAR. Repeating the lie doesn't make it true.