Bush touts tax cuts, downplays economic slowdown

Posted By Allan Prestly for Senaxis World News

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Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush defended his tax cuts Saturday, saying they had fueled a strong U.S. economy despite news this week of a slowdown.

In his weekly radio address, Bush reprised his campaign trail argument that if Democrats gain control of Congress, they will let tax cuts expire.

"Cutting your taxes worked," Bush said. "Unfortunately, the Democrats are still determined to raise your taxes, and if they gain control of the Congress, they can do so without lifting a finger."

Bush said taxes are a huge issue in the November 7 election. He said the tax cuts orchestrated by his administration have left more money in the hands of workers, families and small businesses -- money they have used to sustain a bustling economy.

A Commerce Department report Friday, however, stirred fresh debate about the country's financial health.

The government report showed that during the July-to-September period, economic growth clocked in at an annual rate of just 1.6 percent -- the slowest in more than three years. The subpar performance mostly reflected the deepening housing slump; investment in homebuilding was cut by the largest amount in 15 years.

The new reading on economic growth fell short of the 2.1 percent pace analysts were forecasting. The report disappointed economists, rattled investors and gave Republicans and Democrats plenty to argue about. But the White House downplayed its significance.

"As we expected, this rate is slower than in previous quarters," Bush said. "Yet the evidence still points to a vibrant economy that is providing more jobs and better wages for our workers and helping reduce the federal deficit."

Democrats countered that the slowdown in economic growth is evidence that the administration and the Republican-controlled Congress are doing a poor job handling the economy. They said cooling economic growth undercuts the president's claim that his tax cuts are working.

"Just because the president looks through his rose-colored glasses and sees a strong economy doesn't make it so," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California said.

Democrats are fighting for tax cuts for the middle class for education, health care and retirement, she said, and Bush "refuses to see the millions of Americans who are working hard and are unable to get ahead."
Bush emphasizes child tax credit

As he had several times on the campaign trail, Bush singled out for special emphasis the gradual doubling of the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, one of several tax cuts passed with expiration dates.

"If Democrats have their way, the child tax credit will be cut in half -- from $1,000 per child to just $500 per child," Bush said. "And think of what that means for your family. Next time you're having dinner at home, look around the table and multiply the number of children you have by $500. That's how much more you will be sending to Washington in taxes if Democrats take control of the Congress."

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