"a neo-reaganite trickle down idiot"
Earlier this week the campus publication I work for had ideologically diverse members of the opinion staff respond to Obama's jobs plan by offering up plans of their own in 350 words.
As you can imagine, my column was the only one proposing free-market solutions. While I received many supportive emails in response, I also received a few unsupportive emails. For instance, one reader called me "a neo-reaganite trickle down idiot."
Overall, I thought this was a great idea by the publication to get a discussion going on campus. I have copied a portion of my brief column below; the rest can be found here at the IDSnews.com website.
To facilitate growth and encourage hiring, the President should take the boot off the throat of businesses and allow them wiggle room to grow and prosper.
He can do this by first instituting broad tax reform.
The corporate and income tax rates should be lowered to put more money in the hands of businesses and consumers. Instead of tax and spend, the people should be allowed to keep their money and determine for themselves where it belongs.If a payroll tax cut creates jobs this way, why would this rationale not extend to other taxes?
The second step would be to revisit existing regulations for businesses to determine which ones are absolutely necessary. According to the Small Business Administration, government regulation cost the economy roughly $1.75 trillion in 2008.
The next step would be to end discrimination against unskilled workers.
Eliminating the minimum wage would accomplish this by allowing businesses to hire those workers whose skills are valued beneath the federally mandated minimum wage of $7.25.
Finally, we should open up the United States for drilling. The United States is an energy-rich country, and we should take advantage of its resources.
High gas prices increase the cost of doing business and fleece the pockets of Americans at the pump. When Obama entered office, gas was at $1.79 a gallon. Since then, it has doubled to about $3.60.
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Re: "a neo-reaganite trickle down idiot"
I'll bet you get worse emails than the "Neo-Reaganite" one- probably emails that you can't post on Ricochet!
That part that I quoted above is my favorite part of what you wrote. I remember in my Sociology class in high school, we watched a Morgan Spurlock (Super-Size Me) documentary about how the minimum wage wasn't high enough.
Next to gun control, this might be the most ridiculous oft-repeated fallacy of the young left.
The idea that more money can be taken out of employer's pockets, without significant negative consequences, is just infuriating.
Re: "a neo-reaganite trickle down idiot"
I know, Ethan. That people fail to understand how awful minimum wage laws can be boggles my mind. After all, they were brought to the United States as a part of the eugenics movement that wished to drive unskilled Irish laborers out of the workforce!
Jun '11
Re: "a neo-reaganite trickle down idiot"
(1) It's great to see an attempt at civil discourse. Unfortunately, due to the vulgar comments of the dissenter, it was only an attempt. When will people learn to attack ideas, not people?
(2) Your minimum wage comment is exactly on point. The people who are suffering are predominately minorities and people seeking entry-level positions, which are exactly those groups who predominately vote for the politicians promoting price and wage regulations. OOO the irony!
(3) In relation to unpaid internships and minimum wage. My internship told me they would love to pay me, but they can't afford to pay minimum wage (and all the other taxes that go along with hiring). As a poor student, I'd take ANYTHING.
(4) It is GREAT to see a college thread!
Oct '10
Re: "a neo-reaganite trickle down idiot"
Ah, cut taxes to put more money in the hands of consumers and businesses? That's classic Keynesian fiscal stimulus. True supply-side measures would be permanent, and most likely revenue-neutral. Broaden the base to lower the rates, and all that.
Cutting employer payroll taxes is a good idea, since it lowers unit labor costs and speeds up the trade adjustment we're experiencing. But again, it really should be both permanent, and paid for with other taxes (a tax swap).