You claim conservative ‘bots’ are saying: “Cutting taxes while increasing spending IS economic growth”
oh PULEEZE. There is a night and day difference between cutting taxes and increasing spending. The difference between Tom Coburn on the right and Barack Obama on the left.
Conservative view: Cutting taxes reduces price of Govt and helps increase economic growth. specifically tax RATES on production/income/earnings/investment. Proven in history, by basic ECON 101 understanding of how economic incentives work, etc.
But you falsely conflate spending in there ... huh?!? Where in Rush’s long career did he EVER say increasing Govt spending leads to economic growth??? Where? Never! You are descending into ad hominem nonsense by confusing categories!
“2) You can never raise taxes to pay for increased spending because that would cut tax revenue instead of increase it”
Another strawman. “NEVER” - show me the quote.
The statement is true:
“Often raising taxes to pay for increased spending is counterproductive because it makes business flee and weakens the economy.” True enough that New York, Cali and Michigan are all poster-child examples of that error. Likely the USA under Obama will be too, as high tax increases will boomerang to hurt the economy. The contrary view is to be like Bob Dole and support tax hikes for the programs the Dems pass; as Newt called it “the tax-collector for the welfare state.” True conservatives see through all that bunk and know that spending and taxes both need to be reduced.
If someone did come out and say “Tax increases never work” - they are closer to truth than the economic bunk that most politicians spout (eg Summers saying he is relying on “Keynesian” economics?!?!).
If you want to have that debate about whether Republicans are to be the taxcutters for the welfare state, FINE, but the impression here that ‘bots’ welcomed higher spending to spur the economy?!? BS. It’s in line with the false ‘fiscal irresponsibility’ meme - that RINOs and liberals love to spread - the false notion that tax-cutters are responsible or like higher spending /deficits. That’s completely false. Reality is that the fiscal conservatives who pushed for lower taxes are ALSO the ones who consistently stood up for ending earmarks cutting spending and opposing welfare and entitlement expansions. The deficits are wholly the result of excessive Govt spending.
Conversely, the big spending types were and are ALWAYS opponents of real tax reduction and tax reform.
Last, there were some “big-Govt conservative” koolaid drinkers. big Govt conservative is an oxymoron. Those folks are now discredited as are the RINO politicians who towed that line. No single conservative talk radio show host was among that small inside-the-beltway clique AFAIK.
Again, make your case with direct quotes and name names. YOu are certainly wrong to put Rush in that category. As it is, you are make claims at variance with the known records of these folks.
No, GWB and lackeys Levin+Hannity taught the public that government was free. That You could increase government endlessly and no-one has to pay for it. That’s called magic. So now that everyone in country has their hands out, you say, “Not so fast, I am against that, it's not conservative “, Well too late, you broke the fiscal responsibility lock. You gave Pelosi/Obama the license to steal. Case in point: You all LOVED GWB rebuilding Iraq while cutting taxes and not raising any taxes, all on some kids credit card. But then when the public demanded their handouts, and GWB gave in, you said “I am not for that”But GWB got himself in a corner, he had no basis to say 'NO' once you all told the public you could rebuild Iraq for free.
I dont remember Hannity/Levin going after GWB for NOT promising to cut spending during debate with Kerry. There would be a price for that. Only after he was safely elected.
RE ““Often raising taxes to pay for increased spending is counterproductive because it makes business flee and weakens the economy.”
Really? What if GWB repealed YOUR (and Hannity and Levin) tax cut and then raised your taxes but told you it was to pay for Iraq, for the troops. Would you have fled the country? quit your job? held a tea party? Cut back work hours? No! Really?? Something doesn’t add up here. If so would you still call those against Iraq traitors if YOU were cutting back hours to avoid the Iraq tax?
RE : Cutting taxes reduces price of Govt and helps increase economic growth. specifically tax RATES on production/income/earnings/investment. Proven in history, by basic ECON 101 understanding of how economic incentives work, etc.
That's the problem. Since you (republicans as a group) believe that cutting taxes reduces the cost in government, you always increase spending astronomically when you cut taxes. Only one thing reduces cost in government, cut government. Only one thing stimulates economic growth, cut government. Cutting taxes while increasing government only gives the illusion of growth, but it is only stealing from someone elses future. Yet now that that future is here(2009), (the bills are due), instead of wanting to pay for it politically you claim it’s all non-conservatives debt(not selling). You want to take credit for the party the boom, but point blame for the hangover on others. Then claim it’s a mystery democrats are in charge.
RE :“"There is a night and day difference between cutting taxes and increasing spending.“
Really? If GWB taxes a dollar less of your pay, and spends the same amount, that is still stealing. But he spent two additional dollars, on stuff you so-called conservatives approved.
RE “ Reality is that the fiscal conservatives who pushed for lower taxes are ALSO the ones who consistently stood up for ending earmarks cutting spending and opposing welfare and entitlement expansions. “
Really? fiscal conservatives like GWB? I think the Hannity/Levin bots stood up for re-buiding Iraq without funding it with taxes, like an Iraq tax on YOU,(and Hannity and Levin)
Oh really? Let's see how this works. GWB and Cheney decides to invade Iraq and rebuild it. Even at the beginning it is not all that popular (and goes downhill every day.) And GWB cuts taxes to stimulate the economy , and to get a few more votes in 2004. Advisers tell him some voters will be offended by the tax cuts, so he throws in the old stimulus check(did this create jobs?). Funding Iraq starts to grow less popular, so Rove says to give the seniors prescriptions drugs to get their vote, and No Child Left Behind without vouchers to get single Moms votes. Are Hannity and Levin worried about the debt from Iraq, No Child, Medicare, tax cuts, and tax rebate checks causing national debt during 2004 debates?? NOOO! George Bush is great, great economy, war hero, you must vote for Bush. Later they all claim the war and tax cuts were important, but not that other stuff Bush passed to get votes without funding(debt).No they are real conservatives, They opposed it, but NOT when it counted.
What about the economy? GWB saved the economy after Sept 11, Great economic growth, jobs created, housing starts, even need illegals to build the new houses, and tax revenues increasing. OOOPs, gas prices up, food prices up, for-closures up, debt increasing, stock market crash, need a trillion in bailouts or we all die. Those darn democrats. GWB saved the economy and Barney Frank, Clinton and Carter all messed it up. Drat!
2006 Pelosi wins, 2008 obama wins, dont those voters realize that McCain must win to save EVERYTHING??we will all die from those WMDs if McCain loses.
and you wonder why voters turn off the TV when republicans get on.