Which party is actually the one that spends the most?: 4 realities!
After decades of participation, working on various political campaigns, perhaps the most frustrating aspect is the enormous difference between the reality and the perceptions of the votes. Why do so many perceive a candidate as strong and for them, when the individual lacks a significant degree of integrity, and doesn’t really care about them, but only their personal/political agenda and/or his own self-interest? ? We often witness supporters of one political party accusing the other of being fiscally irresponsible, while the facts indicate that this is often not the case! For example, the Republican Party often promotes itself as the most economically/fiscally conservative, and accuses the Democrats of being irresponsible, big spenders! However, once again, an analysis of spending, under presidents, of both parties, in the last 45 years, shows a very different reality. With that in mind, this article will briefly attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss 4 examples of this, and why, voters should start by paying more attention before it’s too late.
1. Reagan, Bush, Trump, versus Carter, Clinton, Obama: Few remember, the only president in recent memory who called for a zero-based budget to ensure we get more value for money was the much-maligned Jimmy Carter! Ronald Reagan, the apparent hero, of many in the Grand Old Party, based on his economic policy, on the so-called Trickle-Down theories, which claim that when the rich benefit, they will invest more and everyone will benefit. However, an analysis of the impacts of that perspective indicates a much larger disparity between the haves and the haves. those who don’t have, of what we witness, in our lives! Few remember, after the Reagan tax legislation, soon after, a tax on Social Security benefits, became the law of our land! While Carter was trying to reduce the deficit, Reagan was widening it! The only president who actually left a surplus when he left office was Bill Clinton, and then the deficit grew, under the leadership of George Bush! Obama reduced the deficit slightly, but under Donald Trump, our deficit grew, by the largest amount ever! His supporters claim this was due to the pandemic, but they apparently conveniently ignore his so-called tax reform legislation, passed in 2017, touted as helping the middle class, in reality prioritized the wealthiest Americans and corporations, instead change, and created, by itself, an additional trillion dollars of deficit! Isn’t it the height of hypocrisy that Republican representatives in Congress (Senate and House) fight against Biden’s economic plans, aimed at growth and a fairer tax system (that is, the rich pay their fair share), and calling the democrats wasteful spenders?
two. The hypocrisy about deficits and deficit spending: When the Republicans articulate a message, claiming that they are the ones financially responsible, and the other party, they are free-spilpers, and, now, they defend their opposition, based on alleged -concerns, about the impact on the deficit, when they supported a policy of irresponsible, political, that prioritized, the richest, is not that, as hypocritical, as one, can be?
3. Long Term Ramifications of Trickle-Down: To this day, many continue to claim Reagan as their hero, because of his focus and leadership! However, studies on the impacts of Trickle – Down Economics consistently show that it doesn’t work and hurts everyone except the wealthiest!
Four. Costs of procrastination, in terms of: Environment; air-conditioned; Infrastructure; Education; a fairer tax system; etc: When we need well-considered, proactive strategic and action plans, in many urgent areas, such as protecting the environment (clean air and water), addressing climate change, planning infrastructure improvements, ensuring educational opportunities (for all qualified), and a fairer tax system, many simply continue to procrastinate! If we don’t begin to address these pressing issues, sooner rather than later, this nation, its citizens and the planet, as well as the health and well-being of present and future generations, is, at risk!
As they said, in the movie, The net: I’m sick and tired of being, sick and tired, and I’m not going to take it anymore! Are you ready to demand better and more and refuse to accept the same old promises and empty rhetoric?