Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site whuxl.UUCP Path: utzoo!lsuc!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!whuxl!orb From: orb@whuxl.UUCP (SEVENER) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Supply-side Economics: the myth of "increased revenues" Message-ID: <789@whuxl.UUCP> Date: Thu, 7-Nov-85 17:04:18 EST Article-I.D.: whuxl.789 Posted: Thu Nov 7 17:04:18 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 8-Nov-85 08:48:49 EST References: <756@whuxl.UUCP> <29200244@uiucdcs> <362@whuts.UUCP> <416@ssc-bee.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany Lines: 34 From Tom Hill, repeating well-established myths: > Well Tim, the tax revenues have gone up since the tax breaks and that > I believe was the thrust behind the bill. Less taxes for the wealthy > means more investment and guess what? that is exactly what we have seen. > Stop running off at the mouth simply because you can't stand T.C. > I have posted this before so I will simply summarize the *facts* as presented in a New York Times article, Sept. 18,1984: 1)Tax revenues have *not* gone up. Here are the facts: 1981 1982 $284.1 billion, $276.9 billion This does not account for inflation nor the increase one would expect from the economy's normal rate of growth. Why do you think we have hundred billion dollar deficits??? 2)The savings rate has steadily declined. The rate reported for last month was 1.2% - the lowest rate in decades. That was reported in the New York Times last week as it was announced by the government. 3)Investment has *not* led the recovery. In fact investment spending as a percentage of GNP is six-tenths of a percent *below* the 12.1% level in the third quarter of 1981. Moreover, consumption spending now accounts for 62.9% of GNP: it accounted for only 62% of GNP in the summer of 1981. (all reported in NYT, Sept. 18,1984) These are not myths but facts. I believe social policy should be based upon facts rather than fanciful notions about miraculously increasing revenues by reducing taxes. tim sevener whuxn!orb