The "Pie in the sky" myth

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There is a "pie in the sly" myth that has long been taken for granted. The myth is that Democrats`(liberals) have an ongoing agenda to offer the voters unrealistic "pie in sky" programs in order to get re-elected. So liberal promises are "pie-in-the-sky" extravaganzas. Their policies are all "tax and spend." Liberals argue and contend that taxes are a necessary part of living in a modern, civilized country and don't deny the need for them.

Republicans, on the other hand, tell us that all problems can be solved by simply cutting taxes. You want better roads, better schools, better health care, better environment, better everything? Just cut taxes. Better roads? Lower the gas tax. Better schools? Cut the fat out, cut funding. That'll make whatever needs fixing leaner and better. The only exception to Republican "cut-taxes to improve" are military needs. Pouring tax moneys into military needs is necessary. Oops! Wait a minute. We don't even have to raise taxes to support increased military needs. We can just borrow the money. We can even fight a war without needing to pay for it. Just borrow the money.

So, which position is "pie in the sky?"

Republicans seem to believe that taxes interfere with individual liberty and therefore taxes are "prima facie" undesirable. President Bush feeds that myth every time he stridently proclaims "that's your money" and "I want you to be able to spend your money the way you want."
Taken to its limits, the Republican "pie-in-the-sky" would be to have no taxes.

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Cue Right Wing Reactionary Defense Squad, foaming at the mouth, in 3...2...1...

[Enter Stage Right-- where else?]

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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/ca/Laffer.png/250px-Laffer.png

Not quite. A zero tax rate collects zero percent of everything, which is nothing. A rate of 100% collects 100% of nothing. What you should be noticing is that for all other tax rates, the revenue (collected) crosses the curve at two points. It's possible for a tax rate of 10% to produce the same revenue as a rate of 50% or even 70%, and that concept is the importance of the Laffer curve. The actual shape of the curve is unknown, an varies from time to time. Our present position on the curve is also unknown, unless we go to either 100% or 0%. It is simply a graphic illustration of a concept.

Regarding "tax and spend' v. "pie in the sky", the distinctions have pretty well blurred, don't you think? Or, are you really trying to make the point that other than liberals, no on understands the necessity of taxes? Now, there was a time when you could safely call the Republican party the party of "Tax and Spend." In those bygone days, you could have characterized the Democrats at the party of "Borrow and Spend." I don't believe the distinctions exist any longer, though there is a difference in where the spending is directed.

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roger wrote:

Not quite. A zero tax rate collects zero percent of everything, which is nothing. A rate of 100% collects 100% of nothing. What you should be noticing is that for all other tax rates, the revenue (collected) crosses the curve at two points. It's possible for a tax rate of 10% to produce the same revenue as a rate of 50% or even 70%, and that concept is the importance of the Laffer curve. The actual shape of the curve is unknown, an varies from time to time. Our present position on the curve is also unknown, unless we go to either 100% or 0%. It is simply a graphic illustration of a concept.

Regarding "tax and spend' v. "pie in the sky", the distinctions have pretty well blurred, don't you think? Or, are you really trying to make the point that other than liberals, no on understands the necessity of taxes? Now, there was a time when you could safely call the Republican party the party of "Tax and Spend." In those bygone days, you could have characterized the Democrats at the party of "Borrow and Spend." I don't believe the distinctions exist any longer, though there is a difference in where the spending is directed.

That curve looks like my fast ball pitch Smile

Anon

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Billy, having painted the Republican line with a broad brush you left out an important part of the Democrat platform.......they only promise good for all after taking care of their constituancy, primarily teachers, government workers, and other union folks.

If you want to use a roller instead of a brush, you would say that Republicans are supported by business people who create jobs and commerce (and wealth for themselves) and Democrats are supported by individuals who are paid, via taxes, from the profit of the business people, (and do everything they can to enrich themselves). Most Democrat politicians are not bothered that the utopia they espouse will never happen, because they will do quite well in the meantime selling it.

Personally, I like the idea that businesses that aren't successful, for the most part, fail. The same priority isn't taken into the public sector, nor in traditional union employment.

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The "Pie in the sky" myth

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