luka
Well-known member
Starve the beast
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Starving the beast" is a fiscal-political strategy of some American conservatives[1][2][3] to cut taxes in order to deprive the government of revenue in a deliberate effort to create a fiscal budget crisis that would then force the federal government to reduce spending. The short and medium term effect of the strategy has been increased United States public debt rather than reduced spending.
The term "beast" refers to the government and the programs it funds, particularly social programs[4] such as welfare, Social Security, Medicare[5] and public schools. The proponents of the starve-the-beast strategy have never advocated cuts in military, weapons, or prisons spending.
The tax cuts and deficit spending of former US President George W. Bush's administration were attempts to "starve the beast." Bush said in 2001 "so we have the tax relief plan [...] that now provides a new kind—a fiscal straightjacket for Congress. And that's good for the taxpayers, and it's incredibly positive news if you're worried about a federal government that has been growing at a dramatic pace over the past eight years and it has been."[6] The tax cuts were extended by Pres. Barack Obama in what Obama stated was a "compromise" with congressional Republicans.
Political activist Grover Norquist authored an oath, the so-called "Taxpayer Protection Pledge," that 279 Senators and Congressman have signed, in addition to their oaths to the U.S. Constitution. The oath states the signatories may never raise taxes on anyone under any circumstances. It is viewed by some of the unsigned as a stumbling block to mutual fiscal negotiations to benefit the country.[7]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Starving the beast" is a fiscal-political strategy of some American conservatives[1][2][3] to cut taxes in order to deprive the government of revenue in a deliberate effort to create a fiscal budget crisis that would then force the federal government to reduce spending. The short and medium term effect of the strategy has been increased United States public debt rather than reduced spending.
The term "beast" refers to the government and the programs it funds, particularly social programs[4] such as welfare, Social Security, Medicare[5] and public schools. The proponents of the starve-the-beast strategy have never advocated cuts in military, weapons, or prisons spending.
The tax cuts and deficit spending of former US President George W. Bush's administration were attempts to "starve the beast." Bush said in 2001 "so we have the tax relief plan [...] that now provides a new kind—a fiscal straightjacket for Congress. And that's good for the taxpayers, and it's incredibly positive news if you're worried about a federal government that has been growing at a dramatic pace over the past eight years and it has been."[6] The tax cuts were extended by Pres. Barack Obama in what Obama stated was a "compromise" with congressional Republicans.
Political activist Grover Norquist authored an oath, the so-called "Taxpayer Protection Pledge," that 279 Senators and Congressman have signed, in addition to their oaths to the U.S. Constitution. The oath states the signatories may never raise taxes on anyone under any circumstances. It is viewed by some of the unsigned as a stumbling block to mutual fiscal negotiations to benefit the country.[7]