We must commit to lower government spending
Printed in the Herald-Times, October 18, 2021
To the Editor:
It is simply not true that the budget deficits of the 1980's and 2000's were the result of tax cuts by Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
Between 1980 and 1988, total federal revenue increased from $517,112 million to $909,238 million. Between 2000 and 2008, total federal revenue increased from 2,025,191 million to 2,523,991 million. Revenue went down in 2009 due to the banking crisis and related economic slowdown, but soon recovered and began to grow again. Even after the much maligned tax cuts signed by President Trump, revenue went up.
You can see the historical tables for yourself here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/historical-tables/
The problem is not that the federal government did not take in enough tax revenue. The problem is that neither Congress nor the President had any fiscal discipline in spending. Donald Trump was especially bad, recklessly spending enormous sums of money in 2020. Republicans talk a good game about restraining spending, but they have done a very poor job of that in practice.
Yes, President Biden's proposed spending increases are irresponsible, but Republicans need to clean up their own house. Republican primary voters should elect candidates who are committed to lower government spending in practice, not just words.