The debate has rarely been so clear. The Republicans want to spend less on public and safety net service and the Democrats want to spend more. Republicans want lower taxes and fewer services. Democrats want more. Republicans want a flat tax; Democrats want more progressive taxes.
This debate used to only be about the safety net programs. Now Republicans won't even spend money on infrastructure and research and development.
OBVIOUSLY, there is a need to reduce the waste. That has always been the case. Also, our regulatory structures are incredibly inefficient (consider the cost and time to build a bridge or power station). But that is NOT the heart of the matter. As has always been the case, Republicans want the government to do less; Democrats want the government to do more.
BTW, the issue is NOT federal government control. As conservative economists have taught us, if we want to transfer money to the poor, we should use the IRS to send them money, as Biden is currently doing, especially with regard to supporting children. Reagan's approach was to for the feds to decide how much should be transferred to poor states, and then send the money, and allow state governments to decide priorities.
This debate used to only be about the safety net programs. Now Republicans won't even spend money on infrastructure and research and development.
OBVIOUSLY, there is a need to reduce the waste. That has always been the case. Also, our regulatory structures are incredibly inefficient (consider the cost and time to build a bridge or power station). But that is NOT the heart of the matter. As has always been the case, Republicans want the government to do less; Democrats want the government to do more.
BTW, the issue is NOT federal government control. As conservative economists have taught us, if we want to transfer money to the poor, we should use the IRS to send them money, as Biden is currently doing, especially with regard to supporting children. Reagan's approach was to for the feds to decide how much should be transferred to poor states, and then send the money, and allow state governments to decide priorities.
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