Letters to the editor

Opinion: Democrats did keep their promise on tax cuts for most Americans

Posted on Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 12:14 p.m.

Reader Kenneth Dempich points out that President Obama and the Democrats “… promised tax cuts for the middle and lower-income taxpayers.” (Letters to the editor, Sunday, March 6). He says they lied. In fact, the promise was to reduce taxes for low- and middle-income workers and the promise was kept. In the stimulus legislation the president and the Democrats moved through Congress in 2009, taxes for 95 percent of working Americans were reduced by up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples.

The tax reductions were implemented by reducing federal withholding, rather than sending rebate checks as the previous administration did. It was felt that this strategy would encourage the tax reduction to more quickly affect the economy. One result, however, seems to be that Mr. Dempich, and many others, didn’t notice. But the fact remains, taxes have been reduced for most Americans, and promises were kept. Michael Emlaw Ann Arbor

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