1. Retain G.W. Bush tax cuts for individuals earning over $ 250,000 per year is in the interest of a Republic Maxie Brinkmann, Vanessa Henning, Eva Estrada, and Hannah Amante 1 1

2. 1. Argument: Increased Inequality Con - Economics  Rise in inequality during the last decades  Poverty is also on the increase  The economy is only benefiting the wealthy  Middle class will not benefit enough from the tax cut & the wealthy will reap unfairly high benefits

3. Con - Economics 1. Argument: Increased Inequality

4. Con - Economics 4 4 The Lorenz Curve, L of an income distribution shows for the bottom 100h/H percent of households, what percentage of the total income they have. % of income (Y) % of households (X)

5. 2. Argument: Increased Unemployment Con - Economics 5 5 l = Labor w = Wage Tax Cuts Tax Hike

6. 3. Argument: Economic Growth is not sufficient Con - Economics 6 6  Economic growth do not generate jobs or prevent rising unemployment  Bush’s tax plan = permanent change in tax structure  No economic growth in the short-term  Tax plan will reduce financial resources  Result: tax cuts yield inequalities in after-tax incomes

7. 1. Burden on least fortunate Con - Politics 7 7  Huge burden on working / middle class  Majority of households pay more now and in future  Wealthiest 10% of gains most   Most of population will not benefit

8. 2. Rising Debt Con - Politics 8 8  National debt has grown, rising deficit  Historic decline in fed tax revenue  low gov spending or raise taxes elsewhere  Government will borrow more funds  This will increase country‘s debt

9. 3. Economy Suffers Con - Politics 9 9  The cuts did not help economy  Failed to create jobs  Gains to 10%, they invest

10. 4. Inequality and Polarization Con - Politics 10  Increase of inequality of wealth  Less programs, promotion for growth  Increased political polarization

11. Flaws in Opposing Argument: Where we are today 11 Between 2001 and 2010, the Bush tax cuts added $2.6 trillion to the public debt, 50 percent of the total debt accrued. Over the past 10 years, the country has spent more than $400 billion just servicing the debt created by the cuts. Median weekly earnings fell more than 2 percent between 2001 and 2007. Social programs such as Head Start have been cut back significantly.

12. Flaws in Opposing Argument (More Statistics) 12

13. Flaws in Opposing Argument (More Statistics) 13

14. Flaws in Opposing Argument (More Statistics) 14