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Trying to make the case for tax hikes, MSNBC announcers (Chris Matthews for one) say things that fly in the face of logic. First a bit of background:
Paul Ryan, in his speech, bashed Obama for ignoring the Bowles-Simpson commission findings. MSNBC bashes Ryan for being on Bowles-Simpson and voting against the final report. Well, Ryan didn't form the commission as if he were president and intended to take its advice, nor should anyone expect the report to be approved unanimously.
So Matthews huffs and puffs and says, "we tax 15% of GDP and spend 25% of GDP; so they really should meet in the middle at 20%."
What the hell does % of GDP have to do with anything here? He's making a ridiculously absurd argument that only a liberal who's bad at economics can love.
What's more? 20% of $100, or 15% of $1000? And WHY do we have to spend 25% of $100 and 25% of $1000? Isn't 15% of $1000 a hell of a lot more govt. spending?
As long as the effective tax rate is not zero, the bigger GDP is, the more taxes the govt. will collect. And as long as there's incentive to live off govt. unemployment, welfare, and disability handouts, ONE IN NINE people currently unemployed will not be contributing to bigger GDP.
It IS the economy, stupid.
Paul Ryan, in his speech, bashed Obama for ignoring the Bowles-Simpson commission findings. MSNBC bashes Ryan for being on Bowles-Simpson and voting against the final report. Well, Ryan didn't form the commission as if he were president and intended to take its advice, nor should anyone expect the report to be approved unanimously.
So Matthews huffs and puffs and says, "we tax 15% of GDP and spend 25% of GDP; so they really should meet in the middle at 20%."
What the hell does % of GDP have to do with anything here? He's making a ridiculously absurd argument that only a liberal who's bad at economics can love.
What's more? 20% of $100, or 15% of $1000? And WHY do we have to spend 25% of $100 and 25% of $1000? Isn't 15% of $1000 a hell of a lot more govt. spending?
As long as the effective tax rate is not zero, the bigger GDP is, the more taxes the govt. will collect. And as long as there's incentive to live off govt. unemployment, welfare, and disability handouts, ONE IN NINE people currently unemployed will not be contributing to bigger GDP.
It IS the economy, stupid.
