This page was last updated on February 14, 2010.
Cut spending and raise taxes; John M. Tomaszewski; Beaver County Times; February 14, 2010.
Since September 2004, this is at least the 50th letter from Mr. Tomaszewski with all but a handful spouting leftist talking points, with most bashing Republicans and/or former President Bush. As recent letter was entitled “If this be socialism, then give me more.”
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“To solve the federal budget debt problems, we need to cut spending and raise taxes.
“The tax cuts supported by many Republicans to solve the budget debt is fiscal fantasy.”
[RWC] You will find it is Mr. Tomaszewski who is dealing in “fiscal fantasy.” As you read this letter, keep in mind Mr. Tomaszewski has a history of equating “tax cuts” with tax RATE cuts. Mr. Tomaszewski failed to note the so-called Bush rate cuts ultimately resulted in record tax revenue, not a cut, and our deficit/debt problem is the result of overspending, not a lack of tax revenue.
“According to the Congressional Budget Office, the present tax system raises about 17 percent of gross domestic product. This covers just four spending areas: military, debt financing, health and Social Security.
“To increase revenue, we need to impose a national sales tax, close tax loopholes, adjust tax rates and cut the corporate tax rate.”
[RWC] Given his political leanings and his letter-writing body of work, I don’t know how “cut the corporate tax rate” got into Mr. Tomaszewski’s list. It’s the only item in the list that makes sense.
Folks on the left confuse me when it comes to taxes. When they want to reduce an activity, say tobacco use or gasoline consumption, lefties seem to recognize that increasing taxes reduces that activity by making current consumption too expensive for more people. When it comes to general taxes, however, lefties assume they have no effect on economic activity (and some actually claim increased taxes spur economic activity!). All taxes decrease the disposable income/wealth a family or business can spend on or invest in any economic activity. Increased economic activity increases tax revenue, not higher tax rates. Therefore, the last thing you want to do is increase tax rates. This is both logical and proven by history time and time again.
“Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing home our troops stationed abroad, cutting unnecessary military weapons systems and making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient also would reduce spending.”
[RWC] Here you get an idea of what lefties mean when they claim to want to “cut spending.” That is, cut national defense/security budgets and make “Medicare and Medicaid more efficient.”
“These are necessary steps that the Congress and president must make to reduce the federal debt for a strong economy.”
[RWC] Sorry, Mr. Tomaszewski, as I mentioned before, spending is the problem, not tax revenue.
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