Political Quotes

On the recordNovember 17, 2010
Soon we are going to have to decide how to treat the Bush tax cuts. We are going to have to decide whether or not to indebt the American people another $700 billion to extend benefits, tax benefits, for the richest 1 percent of the country. Before we go too far in feeling sorry for that 1 percent, consider this: From 2001 to 2006, 53 percent of all gains, total gains, in income in this country went to that 1 percent. That is right, one out of every two dollars went to the richest 1 percent. That is where the economy has gone. The growth in this country has benefited primarily the richest people in the country, and we now have the greatest disparity in wealth that we have seen in this country in almost 100 years. Heed the words of the Roman priest Plutarch, who once wrote: An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics. Let's keep that in mind when we consider what to do with those tax cuts for the richest 1 percent of Americans.
Said by
John Yarmuth
Democratic · Kentucky

Editor's note · Context

The speaker addresses the implications of extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

Share

More from John Yarmuth

Sep 29, 2022

I thank the gentleman for yielding; and I do mean the gentleman. It has been an honor over these last 16 years to participate in this event. My record as a captain after the first 4 years was not very good; and, actually, John Tanner was…

govinfo.gov
May 25, 2022

The Rescue Plan laid the foundation for America's unprecedented recovery and economic resilience, and we are in a far better place because of it.

congress.gov
Jun 13, 2022

A lot of companies were paying zero.

congress.gov
Jun 13, 2022

Nobody has said you can't drill--that they can't drill.

congress.gov

Other voices in this conversation