Myth: The Bush tax cuts were tilted toward the rich. Fact: The rich are now shouldering even more of the income tax burden. From 2000 to 2004, the share of all individual income taxes paid by the bottom 40% of taxpayers dropped from 0% to -4%, meaning that the average family in those quintiles received a subsidy. The share paid by the top 20% of households increased from 81% to 85%.
The Senate's larding up of $14 billion to the president's Iraq and Gulf Coast supplemental spending request is yet more evidence our lawmakers have surrendered any pretense of spending restraint.
Spencer Strider struck out a season-high 13 batters in eight scoreless innings and Sam Hilliard hit a pair of home runs to help the Atlanta Braves end their fou