Tax rebate will lift faltering economy
Lieberman’s plan doesn’t favor rich; would increase consumer confidence

I am overwhelmed with Liebermania, five months too late.

I never shared the same love of Al Gore’s running mate that the rest of the nation did. I am not terribly fond of the “New Democrats,” those lovable centrists who spit at both conservatism and liberalism alike. Joe Lieberman, as we all know, is one of the leaders of the new Democrats. He has stuff like morals and decency that set him apart from those evil liberals.

Not everyone buys into the argument that liberals are out to destroy American values because they believe in eradicating poverty, but whatever.

I never griped about Lieberman, though, because he wasn’t an easy target for the Republicans. Then Gore shot up in the polls shortly thereafter. Actually, it had more to do with the latter than the former.

But my opinion of Lieberman has changed greatly the past few weeks.

With the economy slowing, the senator has proposed an immediate tax rebate of $60 billion out of this year’s projected surplus of $96 billion. Under his plan, every tax payer would get a $300 check from Uncle Sam.

Can anyone give me a hell yeah.

“Let’s cut checks and send what comes to $300 to every one of the almost 200 million taxpayers in America -- mom, dad, kids, whoever worked and does the payroll tax or income tax,” the wise man sayeth.

Joey, this could be the start of a beautiful relationship.

Let’s think of all the cool stuff we can do with $300.

Buy a Sony Playstation 2.

Buy a DVD player.

Buy a bike.

Buy a lot of beer.

Buy, buy, buy, period.

What is a surefire way to boost the economy? Increase consumer spending.

Lieberman’s plan not only means a bunch of cool video games for yours truly, but it would also give the economy a boost right away, not years down the road like President George W. Bush’s tax plan.

It would do so at a relatively cheap cost of $60 billion. With this year’s surplus, that is chump change.

The plan is fair, and doesn’t overwhelmingly favor the rich like the president’s plan does. Everyone gets $300. Simple. Fair.

Lieberman’s plan is not a substitute for a long-term cut in marginal tax rates. But it will boost the economy right away without fears of a return to budget deficits. Any long-term tax cut can not guarantee that. Not Bush’s tax cut, not even the Democrat’s tax cut.

Lengthy budget projections have proven to be inaccurate time and time again. The 1980s proved as much.

Whatever long range tax cut Congress passes, it needs to keep this in mind. But in the mean time, it can pass Lieberman’s plan as a quick response to the slowing economy.

So Congress, let’s pass this thing.

I really, really want a Playstation 2.

And Lieberman, we salute you.

Brandon Ortiz is a freshman news-editorial journalism major from Fort Worth.
He can be reached at (b.p.ortiz@student.tcu.edu).

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