Volume 48, Number 13 · August 9, 2001
Bush's Weird Tax Cut
By Elizabeth Drew
The tax bill is the proudest achievement of George W. Bush's first six months in office, and it could turn out to be the most important legislation of his entire presidential term—but in ways he didn't intend. In several respects, the bill typified Bush's approach to the presidency. The tax bill was based on conservative ideology: not only did it offer the largest rate breaks to the richest people, but it had the explicit purpose of reducing the activities of the federal government. Bush made much of this in the presidential campaign, saying that if the money wasn't given back to the people, 'the politicians in Washington will spend it.' But the harsh intentions behind his tax bill were blurred by his talk about 'compassionate conservatism,' his appearances with black children, and the like. Few in Washington were prepared for the determination with which he pursued his tax bill once he took office. He kept adding to the justifications for it: as the economy worsened he said it would help the economy; later he said it would help people hit by rising energy costs.
Feature, 4350 words
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