I almost wrote this a few weeks ago, but I figured someone else would point it out. Or maybe I’m way off the mark, but I have to put it out there.
A lot of people think Elizabeth Warren’s health policy proposals are the fatal flaw in her candidacy and her evasive answers on the question of taxes even make me (a diehard supporter) uneasy. Here’s my rough take on the kind of answer I’d like to hear:
So the question is: how will we pay for my health plan (or any health plan that increases coverage)?
Simple: Out of the Treasury, the same way we pay for everything else.
And the thing to notice here is that the question, “How will you pay for it?” is only ever a question for Democrats. When Republicans are in power they run up deficits on wars and giveaways to the super-rich and news commentators such as yourself never ask them how they’re going to pay for it.
For almost two generations now Democrats have been hampered by misguided notions of fiscal responsibility that no one else adheres to, such as the silly PayGo rule that requires us to cut good, existing programs in order to start good, new ones.
We have a strong currency and we can borrow money at rates lower than the rate of economic growth. So let’s be clear: no new expenditure of itself requires a tax increase.
Does that mean we should never raise taxes? Of course not. In fact, I have already proposed a significant tax increase, mostly to turn around the obscene giveaway of our wealth to the people who are already wealthy beyond imagination.
Other reasons for raising taxes include trying to slow down an overheated economy– not our current situation. But at a time when we’re the richest country in the world at the richest point in our history, Americans are tired of being told that we can’t afford such basic amenities of civilization as roads, schools and heath care.
So, have at me in the comments. Tell me where I’ve got it all wrong. I will read them all carefully and with consideration.