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The Federal Debt and the 1%: How Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Inflate Our Deficit

If you care about a fair and equitable society, it is essential to understand how tax cuts for the wealthy drive up the deficit.

Libby Winkler
4 min readDec 19, 2024
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

The Federal Debt and the 1%: How Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Inflate Our Deficit

For decades, tax cuts for America’s wealthiest have been pitched as a surefire way to “boost the economy.” Backed by conservative politicians and corporate interests, these tax breaks are painted as crucial for growth, job creation, and even fiscal responsibility.

Reality tells a different story: tax cuts for the 1% don’t just fail to meet these promises—they punch gaping holes in the federal budget, weaken essential services, and widen the gap between rich and poor. If a fair and equitable society matters to you, understanding how tax cuts for the wealthy drive up the deficit is essential.

The Trickle-Down Fallacy

The rationale behind these tax cuts rests on the worn-out idea of “trickle-down economics.” The theory suggests that if the wealthiest individuals and corporations have more money, they’ll invest in businesses, create jobs, and improve life for…

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Libby Winkler
Libby Winkler

Written by Libby Winkler

Freelance writer who loves exploring the messiness of humanity, while poking around in nooks of life and shining light on all the things that make us complex..

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