[1rudeboy]

Personally, I don't know what the standard for calculation is . . . even this author includes two. But honestly, if taxes are the primary reason for real-wage stagnation, or worse, and real wages would rise in the absence of tax-considerations, then what of the paleo-protectionists' central argument that free-trade is the source of a decline in our standard-of-living? One has nothing to do with the other (and I posted this data for the paleos' benefit).

[LS]

You got it. By the way PERSONAL INCOME has risen, and that does include taxes.

And free trade has increased the standard of living, and as I HAVE SAID HERE FOR TWO YEARS, productivity is the driving force behind economic growth. Low taxes help, by all means. I have no problem with MASSIVE tax cuts and budget cuts too (the two are not necessarily linked), but ultimately Saw's Law says that is you have productivity increases, you will have economic/job growth. It has always happened, because supply (caused by higher productivity) creates its own demand.

[Tauzero]

and real wages would rise in the absence of tax-considerations, then what of the paleo-protectionists' central argument that free-trade is the source of a decline in our standard-of-living?

Government has to get its revenue from someplace.