[TheRealThing]

This is THE ronald reagan.

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TheRealThing,

Lets be clear about a few things. I agree with Laffer on his idea that in certain cases, lowering rates can bring about higher revenues through increased GDP growth. But there hasn't been a single organization, person, or study that shows the Trump plan will do this. Lets take FactCheck.org as a quick example.

-Is not revenue neutral.
-Decreases revenue about about 10 trillion over the next decade.
-Removes responsibility from about 73 million people, by giving them 0 tax liability.
-drastically lowers taxes on every other group of people, including at 60% corporate tax cut.
-Increases the deficit by about 9 trillion over the decade.

Now, read this very carefully. Laffer supports the tax plan because it will cause a moderate to large increase in GDP growth. Currently it is in the mid 2% annualized range, while the trump plan could create a sustained growth of around 3.8-4.0% (which doesn't take into account higher inflation as a result of rapidly increasing deficits). That's a good growth rate, no one is arguing against that. But Laffer, is a tax and growth expert... NOT a budget deficit expert. His focus is on lower taxes and higher GDP growth. Not paying down the debt.

Trump has consistently shown he is a liberal, admitted he is a liberal, thought that the democrats handle the economy better with their policies, supported and financed liberals, proposed 5 trillion dollar tax hikes, and still to this day is in favor of universal healthcare.

A real plan for tax reform doesn't just lower rates and remove people from the roles. It does the following.

1)Simplifies.
2)Flattens.
3)Broadens.

The Trump plan partly accomplishes 1 of the 3. And Reverses the other 2.

I urge you, stay open minded and don't be a cynic. And whats the difference between a cynic and a skeptic? A skeptic doesn't believe something will happen, or is happening. A cynic, continues to not believe even after the evidence is presented. The evidence is clear... Trump is no conservative.

He..
-Support funding for Planned Parenthood.
-Supported largest tax hike in American History.
-Is against the flat-tax, and like progressive taxation.
-Believes the wealthy should be penalized for their hard work and success.
-Was against the Iraq war and removing Saddam.
-Is against reforming SS and Medicare.
-Is for Affirmative Action
-Has always been pro-choice, but suddenly "changed his views" as a candidate.
-Is for the assault weapons ban.
-wants longer wait periods to buy guns.
-doesn't believe that "supply side" economics (your boy Laffer's baby) works.
-Supports hate crime legislation.
-Is against free-trade.
-admits that he has "bought" politicians.
-believes in campaign finance reform, limiting free speech.
-believes vaccines cause autism.
-is against missle defense.
-says he may run as independent, rather than lose as a republican.
-believes in the sanctity of marriage so much, he has married 3 times himself!
-john mccain not a hero, because he was captured.

and again, the list goes on.

The worst part of it all. Donald Trump left the republican party in 1999, became a Democrat in 2001 (based upon his registration), and remained one throughout the presidency of George Bush.... only switching back in late 2009.


My questions to you is........

How on earth could you support someone for president, who is a RINO? What DO you like about this man? And how do you feel about a tax plan that increases the deficit about trillions and removes 73 million people from responsiblity for our nation?

I don't know, it just seems I get a little incredulous when somebody tries to tell me my perception of the life I have lived is errant. I saw the economy turn around in dramatic fashion. And I saw the momentum of those days wane over the past 3 decades, so I know it works. None the less, later in my post I will address a few of your litany of grudges and assumptions.

I saw money dry up, and inflation go up. I saw the jobs disappear, as Armco Steel, Novamont, the Nickel Plant, National Mines and others laid off thousands. And I remember clearly the foreboding overtones of an economy which was teetering on the threshold of a depression. I can remember the dread of opening up my electricity bill knowing it would be astronomic, perhaps even unpayable. Gasoline, groceries, it seemed as if our world was coming off it's hinges. Everybody was concerned and rightly so. Many of my friends and acquaintances lost their homes owing to the skyrocketing rise of flexible or adjustable interest rates.

In the general sense Laffer, during his interview regarding any perceived lack of a point by point analysis of Trump's plan, was somewhat put off by the scoffing nature of that charge and challenged it's validity. In other words it was just an intellectual sounding expulsion of gas by yet another self absorbed news anchor. Now, read this very carefully. Your analysis is the work product of others, not your own, and I don't agree with it. I urge you to take into consideration that I was in the work force during the era of which this discussion is relevant. Therefore, though I may be able to find mountains of dissenting opinion and scraped up numbers to refute what I saw with my own eyes, I remain none the less unconverted.


Now for a couple of your points. NOBODY has paid down the debt since the Clinton Administration. And the experts can't even agree on the true level of debt from those days. At any rate, Trump believes his policies will inspire growth which in turn, will generate an increase of revenue. And as I understand it, that is exactly what turned this land around in the Reagan years. It's easy for Trump's detractors to find things they think will negate his plan's success, prior to having tried them. After watching in horror as the debt has soared, reportedly to reach at least 12 Trillion dollars in increases during the Obama tenure, it takes a lot to scare me. And frankly, the status quo you seem to be advocating for has historically, been a no-go much less the Keynesian Circus recently come to town. Not revenue neutral? Well if things stay as they are, with a profoundly politicized Federal Reserve, an out of control EPA, an ever mounting and impossible to comply with avalanche of unprofitable regulations inundating the industry and energy fields, and with a monster affectionately named the Affordable Care Act stalking the economy with an appetite suitable for the consumption of most of the nation's wealth, maybe so.

I do not agree that 2 percent is an adequate growth rate. The labor participation rate is 63 percent. I find it laughable to read your efforts to justify current economic indicators and using this administration's doctored data to do so. You must understand that the 5.something unemployment rate release last reporting cycle is rubbish, right?

On to the most indefensible of your surmise. No matter what we do, health care is a permanent fixture on the US budgetary landscape. Nobody, and I mean nobody is attempting to say we're just going to scrap it, move on and to the devil with those who are presently so bound. Republicans are promising to repeal and "fix" healthcare and obviously the Dems are told what they think by their leadership. So let's face it, if we have to deal with thing and we do, let's try to get the darn thing as right and sensible as we can. And not that they have been exactly ringing the bell lately, but there will be a number of good Republican legislators for Trump to work with should he be elected. Things would have to be much better but in any case, health care ala government bureaucracy is with us to stay.

But, in getting right to it, I can support Trump because figuratively speaking, I have seen the Republicans inexplicable cowardice in the face of the enemy. And they ALWAYS retreat, every last time. From where I sit, the nation is in an inevitable slide into anonymity. I mean, Ted Cruz speaks openly about the way Boehner and McConnell fight to fund Obama's policy shenanigans and that in direct contravention to the will of the people. Again, in saying that, I do not prefer Trump over Cruz. I'm just saying Trump is 30-something and Cruz is at 10% in the polls and the shadows are getting a bit long.

If I thought Trump would rule by edict in the manner of present company, I would not support him. Or if I thought he secretly supported abortion on demand, or if I thought he was a pro-gay agendist. But, here is the bottom line. What I would like to happen will likely not be forthcoming. The country is likely too far gone for that, so, what have we got left? Frankly IMHO, at minimum the top ten Republican candidates would be far better than what we have now. My concern and my fear is that somehow Hil-lie-ry will pull out of her trouble, gain the inevitable nomination and the takers will vote her into office because she like Obama before her, will have promised them the moon.

What I like about Trump is that he is not a novice, ideologue, socialist. He understands on the secular level how America is supposed to work, and I believe he wants to restore some measure of sanity from that perspective. And lastly for this post anyway, I will say this. The Republicans live in fear of the press, Trump at least, will deal with them in a fashion that I believe will command some respect. But, it is time for all good men to get real, and come to the aid of their country. I cannot speak for what will happen during the process in which Republicans put forth their eventual nominee, or who he will be. I do hope he is not a RINO, and for the moment I reject the notion that Trump is.

Count me in among those who are glad to see you back.