George W. Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy were intended to be a temporary measure that would stimulate the economy and create new jobs. Well, as this chart shows, that didn’t quite happen. 

 

If the wealthiest Americans don’t pay their fair share of taxes, the deficit will only continue to grow. Cutting our social safety net while allowing millionaires, billionaires, and corporations to sneak through loopholes and not fulfill their obligation to our country won’t help balance our budget. Instead, it will cost millions of Americans their health, their livelihood, and their dignity.