Discussions of President George W. Bush’s tax cut programs often become mired in confusing, contradictory information and the inflammatory language of “class warfare.” This series of five short articles provides readers with basic facts that demonstrate why particular assertions about the administration’s proposals are wrong, in the hopes of correcting myths and misleading claims that have appeared in the media during the current “class warfare” debate. We must consider the fairness of economic policy without falling victim to pleasant, but unrealistic, economic beliefs.

Download individual parts of the series below:

Read the Introduction (PDF)

Myth #1: The rich deserve most of the tax cuts because they pay most of the taxes (PDF)

Myth #2: Cutting taxes on dividends and other capital income will generate new investment essential for economic growth (PDF)

Myth #3: Stock ownership and other wealth is much more evenly distributed today than it was in the past, so cuts in taxes on investment income benefit everyone (PDF)

Myth #4: Over the course of their lifetimes, Americans are highly likely to enjoy upward economic mobility (PDF)

Myth #5: In good economic times, benefits flow to all strata of society (PDF)