re: #149 avanti

So wait a moment. Bush authorized the TARP (and for the record, I opposed TARP for reasons that are well worn here). So, Bush made the nation money by pushing for TARP now that Citi is repaying now?

As for the tax issue, unless Congress acts this year - the tax rates are going to rise starting next year as the 2001 and 2003 tax acts expire (reverting the rates to those in effect before 2001 act took effect - a significant tax hike across the board). That doesn’t address the AMT fix needed or the need to raise taxes further to fund HCR going forward, particularly if the costs prove to be far higher than anticipated (which is inevitable).