December 01, 2003

Bush's Beneficial Quirk

The slow crawl of government may be pretty timely for President Bush's re-election:

Mr. Stanley pointed out that while the Bush tax cuts this year were retroactive to Jan. 1, the tax tables could not be changed until July 1, after the cuts were adopted. As a result, next spring, consumers will receive tax refunds fattened by federal over-withholding during the first six months of this year. That might make taxpayers feel better, and if they spend the money, it could buoy an already consumer-driven economy as the campaign moves into high gear.

"Change in Consumer Confidence and Thus the Presidency"