Sam Brownback’s failed ‘experiment’ puts state on path to penury

The Washington Post ^ | September 21, 2014 | Editorial Board

[centurion316]

GOV. SAM BROWNBACK of Kansas says he has come to regret characterizing his policy agenda as a “real live experiment” that would test the efficacy of deep tax cuts to spur jobs and economic growth. In fact, Mr. Brownback’s choice of words was apt. Few if any governors have undertaken such an extreme trial-by-revenue-deprivation in a state so clearly lacking the economic means to withstand it.

Now, as the damaging social and budgetary impacts of his slash-and-burn fiscal measures have become apparent, Mr. Brownback, a conservative Republican seeking reelection this fall in a state where every statewide elected official is also a Republican, is in the disorienting position of trailing his Democratic challenger in the polls.

Mr. Brownback’s Kansas trial is rapidly becoming a cautionary tale for conservative governors elsewhere who have blithely peddled the theology of tax cuts as a painless panacea for sluggish growth. Most key indicators suggest that job creation and economic growth in Kansas are lagging those of its neighbors.

Mr. Brownback has cherry-picked the statistics to suggest that things aren’t as bad as they seem, while arguing that it’s still too early — more than a year and a half after his cuts were enacted — to gauge their full impact. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s bond rating agencies, taking note of plummeting tax revenue and a siphoning off of the state’s reserves to cover current and projected deficits, have weighed in with their own verdict: Moody’s cut Kansas’s credit rating last spring, and Standard & Poor’s followed suit last month.

[centurion316]

When you put your money where your mouth is and actually do something to cut taxes and reduce the size and scope of government, the teachers' union, the media, and the big government politicians are come out with guns ablazing. The Washington Post, who hardly knows where Kansas is are willing to do their bit.

[ScottinVA]

And of course, once Brownback is defeated, the dem will reap the political benefits once the positive impact of the tax cuts is felt.

[nhwingut]

Says the WaPo, which sets up shop in the failed state of Maryland, despite being propped up by the taxpayer funded DC economy.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

What this country needs is a 100% tax rate on anyone who is not a member of the big-government/big-corporate crony-fascist complex.

That will fix everything!

[montag813]

Moody’s cut Kansas’s credit rating last spring, and Standard & Poor’s followed suit last month.

And of course Wall St. has NO big government agenda...riiiight?

[econjack]

...spending reductions have been sufficiently draconian and divisive that large numbers of Kansans, including more than 100 current and former GOP elected officials, have expressed alarm...

Of course they are alarmed, since that's where their power comes from...the ability to take from a productive person and give it to a non-productive voter. If you want to turn spending around, simply say that anyone receiving public assistance of any kind must follow these sets of rules:

1) random drug testing,

2) if they can fog a mirror, they must show up for work at 8AM M-F to clean toilets in public buildings, or anything else that needs to be done, and

3) they cannot vote in any Federal, State, or Local elections.

Given those rules, how long before the politicians start expressing less alarm about giving less of your money away?

[LeonardFMason]

And after nearly 6 years of OBAMA.....eberything is still GWB’s fault! So says the Washington ComPOST.

[Gay State Conservative]

If the Compost opposes him I support him.In fact,I just might send him some $$$.

[JCG]

Mr. Brownback has cherry-picked the statistics to suggest that things aren’t as bad as they seem, while arguing that it’s still too early — more than a year and a half after his cuts were enacted — to gauge their full impact.

But after six years of Obama Madness the WaPo still can't see that that nationally the economy has been coverted from worker-based to food stamp recipients.

Six years' tolerance for B. Hussein O. and not a grumble, 1.5 years for Brownback and it's curtains.

Media bias anyone?

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[laconic]

A failed “newspaper” supposedly valued at $ 1 billion a few years ago, sells to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos who charitably puts up $ 100 million. The Washington Post really knows business, don’t it??

[februus]

Come On, Kansas! If WaPo’s editors are against it - it HAS to be good for Kansas and the Country.

[italianquaker]

Makaka said the compost

[SoFloFreeper]

Mr. Brownback has cherry-picked the statistics to suggest that things aren’t as bad as they seem...

I think the Washington Post is confusing Brownback with Barack Hussein Obama and his buttlicking sycophant media...like the Washington Post.

[SoFloFreeper]

Moody’s cut Kansas’s credit rating last spring, and Standard & Poor’s followed suit last month.

Whoa...didn't the ratings agencies DOWNGRADE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT under Obama, too?

Where was the Washington Post on that issue?

[JCG]

A failed “newspaper” supposedly valued at $ 1 billion a few years ago, sells to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos who charitably puts up $ 100 million. The Washington Post really knows business, don’t it??

They should change the name of Sousa's Washington Post March to the WaPo Two Step or perhaps the WaPo Minuet.

----

Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it.
www.AnySoldier.com
(An entirely free service)

[GladesGuru]

If the Democrats are elected, the tax cuts will disappear.