Senators Strike Child Tax Benefits Deal

AP | 6/05/03 | MARY DALRYMPLE

[Sloth]

I have a groundbreaking idea for the GOP. We should not only support this $1K per child tax credit for everybody, we should quadruple it (the Dems would have a collective heart attack). THEN we start calling it a "school voucher" and declare victory. Drastically scale back public school funding, and statutorily require public schools to charge parents directly on a 'fee-for-service' basis, and require the tax credit money to be used for education at the school of the parents' choice.

[The Old Hoosier]

This isn't a deal. If they're going to use the tax bill to give welfare, they're going to have to make it permanent first.

[Satadru]

How much will you bet that Bush will cave? Why is it that there is no leadership from the White House on this issue? Why can't our President make the case forcefully that people who don't pay taxes shouldn't get a tax cut? If the White House does not take the initiative, they will get villified in the popular press.

[hsmomx3]

According to the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=109812,00.html

some people making under this 26k will receive money this summer. Here is an example from the website:

Ms. Gray has one child, age 7; her 2002 earned income was $16,560; she claimed a Child Tax Credit of $368 and an Additional Child Tax Credit of $232. Ms. Gray will receive an advance payment of $389.

[StriperSniper]

If they want to do a handout then do it through welfare benefits.

Over in the House, when Jack Kingston(R-GA) was making a similar case, Harrold Ford Jr. had a meltdown! For about a minute he was shouting above Kingston and the gavel. This was at about 2:50 D.C. time, expect to see it on Brit tonight if he has the nerve.

[NC Conservative]

refundable tax credits

READ: Income Redistribution

[CanisMajor2002]

Republicans in the Senate struck an agreement to expand the benefit for low-income families and extend the benefit to more high-income couples.

It was my understanding that the Republicans wanted this in the original bill.

I suppose it depends on your definition of "high". I'd start at families earning under $1 billion. :)

[daler]

Your sarcasm is duly noted.

He won't veto it for the same reason the Senate "fixed" the tax bill...so as not to offend anyone.

I pay taxes, they don't. They'll get a check, I won't.

I guess the fact that I'M OFFENDED doesn't matter much to anyone.

What offends me even further is I have three kids, the youngest 17, the older two in college. What?! They're not costing me anything, you say?

[SierraWasp]

"It's the "new tone in Washington."

How can that be when both parties are tone deaf to the 60% of Americans that actually pay ANY federal income tax at all!!!

Actually, it "compassionate conservatism" as opposed to "Considerate Conservatism!" A Considerate Conservative considers this kind of bizzare injustice as pure unadulterated "Bull Chit!" (a little Mexican NAFTA lingo for ya)

[kattracks]

I suppose it depends on your definition of "high". I'd start at families earning under $1 billion. :)

That's the Dim's definition.

[Blood of Tyrants]

What the hell? Hasn't it already passed? Why are the spineless Pubs crumbling now?

[Ga Rob]

"They didn't pay any taxes! Am I missing something? " You have apparantly missed the last 40 years of the Great Society?? I think they should give the people a check for the welfare aka tax cut aka EITC, whatever you want to call it...they have to pick the check up and when they do, they are checked by the cops for back warrants, back taxes(if they ever should have paid any), traffic tickets(because they all have cars and no jobs), library fees (what am I thinking),etc, etc, etc. Then they should arrest them for the things they find. They should make this known....90% of the good for nothins will not show up and they can split the cash evenly amongst us real tax payers!!!!

[Orangedog]

Maybe if we started calling congressional republicans mean names and tell them that they are cruel and heartless we can get them to vote the way consevatives are supposed to. Just a idea...it works for the marxists on the other side of the isle in congress.

[Ga Rob]

Sooooo $400 gooses the economy??? Doing what??? It's not a blip on the radar screen...IMO.

[newgeezer]

As much as I like the idea of vouchers, there is one major show-stopper for your idea: Public education is not a Federal issue. It's local.

One of your points is bulletproof. They should indeed "drastically scale back public school funding" -- all the way to zero.

[Publius6961]

Minimum wage workers would get the same rebate check, worth $400 per child, going to other families later this summer — giving Democrats a rare victory in a Republican-ruled government.

That's fraud.

If any company in the U.S. tried that they would face class action lawsuits and jail time.

What makes legislators exempt?

Have they legislated a new definition for "rebate" which is 180 degrees from its original meaning?
Can they do that?

[Blood of Tyrants]

A NEGATIVE income tax?

[CanisMajor2002]

That's the Dim's definition.

Let me clarify:
Raise the ceiling so that every family who earns under $1 billion a year gets the tax cut. :)

[Centurion2000]

Minimum wage workers would get the same rebate check, worth $400 per child, going to other families later this summer — giving Democrats a rare victory in a Republican-ruled government.

WTF is this guy talking about ... Democrats are getting almost EVERYTHING they want in this administration.

[Publius6961]

I am so furious I see red.

Not because they voted to give more of my money to the permanent social parasites, but for hiding it under the label "rebate".