Dumb question: What does permanent mean?

[GusFring]

In regards to tax cuts. Can't another congress raise rates if they want?

[NMDemDist2]

1. yes. it just means there's no expiration date built into the bill n/t

[CreekDog]

2. yes, things are only permanent until a subsequent action which changes or undoes them

some things are more easily undone than others.

but you're quibbling.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. The bigger question is "what does temporary mean"

since the tax cuts put into place were temporary. I am not saying that I don't like having the extra money in my pay check, but over ten years is not temporary, and the GOP stand on "raising" the taxes to the rate prior to the temporary cut is disingenuous. It is not raising taxes when you let a tax reduction expire.

[Igel]

4. With a deadline.

Or not intended to last.

Permanent bases in Iraq were concrete and wood or metal. Temporary ones were prefab and easily disassembled, often with a lot of tents.

Temporary tax cuts have an expiration date. Permanent tax cuts don't.

Keep in mind this isn't a weird kind of definition. In 4 billion year our Sun will engulf the Earth, so even things like the Grand Canyon are, in some sense, temporary.

[Amonester]

5. Yup. A Red Giant will atomize our remnant molecules and spray them around!

Nothing is created.

Nothing is lost.

We are star dust.

Temporary in shapes.

[quaker bill]

6. What it always means

"will not change unless acted on". Mt. Rushmore is permanent, unless someone acts to put a new face on it. The tax rates are permanent unless congress acts to change them, just like every other law. These rates are as permanent as congress can make anything. No future congress is obligated to reaffirm them for things to stay like they are. The laws against marijuana are "permanent" unless a future congress acts to repeal them, which in this case has turned out to be pretty permanent (to the dismay of some).

[UCmeNdc]

7. Permanent is not really the best word in this case

New tax laws can always change the tax rates. So nothing is permanent concerning tax laws.

[LiberalFighter]

8. It is all in the context of how it is used.

But basically, permanent means legislation that does not sunset at some point in the future when it pertains to legislation.

Words can also have different definitions in the law. A state has chapters in their law that cover different parts of the law. A word like residence could have one meaning in chapter A but a different meaning in chapter F.

[Motown_Johnny]

9. Not Temporary.

In the grand scheme of things, nothing is permanent. The Earth, The Sun and all The Stars will eventually cease to exist.