by Dan Mitchell | May 29, 2015 | Blogs, Economics, Taxation
When I debate class warfare issues, here’s something that happens with depressing regularity. I’ll cite research from a group like the Tax Foundation on how an overwhelming share of the income tax is borne by upper-income taxpayers. The statist I’m arguing with will...
by Dan Mitchell | May 23, 2015 | Blogs, States, Tax Competition, Taxation
Two years ago, I shared a map looking at how heavily wine was taxed in different states. What is showed was that you shouldn’t sip your Chardonnay or guzzle your Merlot in Kentucky. Unless, of course, you wanted to give politicians a lot more money to spend (or you...
by Dan Mitchell | May 21, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs, Economics, Government Spending, Taxation, Welfare and Entitlements
The American Enterprise Institute has published a comprehensive budgetary plan entitled, “Tax and spending reform for fiscal stability and economic growth.” Authored by Joseph Antos, Andrew G. Biggs, Alex Brill, and Alan D. Viard, all of whom I know and admire, this...
by Dan Mitchell | May 20, 2015 | Blogs, Economics, Flat Tax, Taxation
In my ultimate fantasy world, Washington wouldn’t need any sort of broad-based tax because we succeeded in shrinking the federal government back to the very limited size and scope envisioned by our Founding Fathers. In my more realistic fantasy world, we might not be...
by Dan Mitchell | May 6, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs, Economics, Government Spending, Taxation
I’ve openly stated that there are tax-hiking budget deals that theoretically would be attractive. But notice that “theoretically” is part of that sentence. That’s because in the real world, tax hikes have a poisonous effect on fiscal policy. Instead of being the...