"This change resulted in a drastic reduction in their take-home pay, " McElroen added.

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So each time there was a recession with a Republican President, compensated -- we compensated by making sure that government didn't see a drastic reduction in employment.

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This, along with a drastic reduction in the number of annual payments needed, has cut the time spent grappling with the taxman by 148 hours per year compared with 2004.

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On the other hand, a drastic, immediate deficit reduction could stymie short-term economic growth and lead to a double-dip recession.

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