Quote:
Originally posted by sgtclub
New topic. Since you are so concerned with deficits, how will Kerry pay for the new spending he has proposed in this speech? The WSJ ran an article on Friday that crunches the numbers, and if they are right, it looks like the defecits will be even bigger under Kerry. Essentially, Kerry seems to think he can make up some ground on the deficit with the tax increase, but at the same time is proposing a good deal more spending.
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I didn't listen to the speech so I don't know what the particular programs were. I haven't seen the WSJ article, but a recent Economist article suggested that his proposed spending increases (as of that point) and tax increases were a wash.
A wash isn't good enough, and a deficit increase is even worse. I agree, Kerry needs to do better.
I would disagree that deficits under Kerry would be worse than under Bush, because Bush is pushing more tax cuts and making the last ones permanent. I believe -- not certain -- that many if not most of the Bush tax cuts have not yet come into effect, so the effect on the budget is only beginning to be felt. Bush is proposing, and for four years has been enacting, cutting taxes while increasing spending. Kerry is proposing increasing taxes while increasing spending. Both are shitty approaches, but one is less shitty than the other. And since Cthlhu isn't running....
In the end, I suspect that if Kerry is elected he won't be able to push through any major spending increases, in part because Repubs will control at least one if not both the House and Senate. I think some balance in the fed gov't will have a salutary effect.
