Question: Doesn't 'tax surplus' mean taxpayers were overcharged? If so, shouldn't we get 100% of it back? If you go shopping and get shortchanged, do you let the store keep it to spend on improvements?
Submitted from Michael of Elko, Nevada through MSNBC.com (10/23/00)
Answer from George W. Bush:
Americans Should Get Their Money Back
Michael, I agree that Americans should get their money back.
On this issue my opponent and I have a major difference of opinion. My opponent thinks the surplus is the government's money. That's not what I think. I think it's the hard-working people of America's money, and I want to return some of that money with you, so that you will have more money to build and save and dream for your families.
It is estimated that over the next ten years we will have a surplus of about $4.6 trillion. That surplus takes into account the projected increases for each government program and entitlement. In other words, after all of the government's bills are paid, including the regular increases for each department there will still be a surplus of nearly $5 trillion.
Of that surplus, I want to take over half of it to help save Social Security. I will put that money into a "Lockbox" so that government can't spend it, except on Social Security benefits. I want to take about half of the remaining $2.2 trillion to fund important efforts such as improving public education, strengthening our national defense, and providing prescription drugs to senior citizens.
The remaining quarter of the surplus, a little over $1 trillion should be returned to the taxpayers. Under my plan, everyone who pays taxes will get a tax cut, with the biggest percentage cut going to the poorest citizens. In fact, I will take 6 million low-income families off the tax rolls completely.
For others, I will simplify the tax code and replace our current system of five tax rates (15, 28, 31, 36, and 39.6%), with four lower ones (10, 15, 25, and 33%), and doubling the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000.
Under my plan every taxpayer gets a tax cut, under my opponent's plan 50 million Americans miss out on tax relief.
To see how you would save under my plan, go to the Tax Calculator on my Web page.
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