re: #76 Daniel Ballard

The latest Krugman polemic-
“The Twinkie Manifesto” (no that’s not my snark it’s his title) Bring back the 91% tax rate for the rich. As if nothing else has changed in our economy since the 1950’s. Why 91%? Well because that’s why. No math, no Laffer curve, no arthmentic revenue argument at all. Come on Paul I’ll give you a read. But back it up with something more than emotions please. Why not 92% Or 90%? Or WTH?

I’ll agree the wealthy can pay more. But pulling numbers arbitrarily from economic ancient history is just not persuasive. John Kennedy had it right. Heck even the Reagan era tax charts put us in good shape.

I don’t think he’s advocating specific tax rates, just pointing out that raising tax rates on high earners would (a) have beneficial social consequences and (b) not crash the economy. The performance of the 1950’s economy is a handy rebuttal to the tax-hike doomsayers.