Julia, you probably know no one pays the entire top rate on their gross profit - not individuals, not companies - because they can deduct lots of eligible expenses.. so it's the average statistics says they pay 17%, it doesn't mean they didn't pay their fair share..
the reason economic stimuli don't work (not when Bush did some in summer 2008, not the humongous Obama's) is because
1. lots of money from Obama's stimulus went to government which does nothing for businesses
2. money that went to individuals, just like when Bush did, don't necessarily get spent on smth that stimulate the economy - smth like credit card payoffs, etc..
3. when you cut taxes long-term, not for a year or so like Obama did, only then busensses can plan long-term and grow and create jobs..but it takes people who actually create smth, not community organizers to know that..even his treasury admitted he never had a real job..