Republicans say we have to cut spending.
Well, except for military spending. And subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. And all their other pet projects …
But one thing is clear. Republicans are in favor of spending that benefits the rich (like tax cuts), but against spending the benefits the poor (like the minimum wage). Meanwhile, there is little evidence that raising the minimum wage hurts the economy, and plenty of evidence that it stimulates the economy.
The Republicans claim to be fiscal conservatives, but when they are in power they miraculously don’t manage to lower the deficit.
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Raising the minimum wage raises taxes. The more you earn, the more taxes you pay so that is more taxes to help the less fortunate. I have not read that anyone has addressed this issue. It is indexed, but it would take a long time to adjust to $15 an hour.
Not only do the Rs never lower the deficit as you state, there is an astonishing pattern that’s been in effect at least since WW II — Rs raise the deficit (and thus the debt), Ds lower it.
I guess it just goes to show that shameless self-promotion trumps facts every time — Rs have been considered the gold standard for fiscal good sense for generations, whole actually spending from the public purse like drunken sailors.
I forget what the actual multiplier is, but Reagan either doubled or tripled the national debt during his two terms in office. Rs don’t consider war or enriching their friends to be “government spending,” so they are always amazed and angry that the bean-counters give them such irritating feedback.
I think modern “conservatives” love their new economics so much because they simply don’t understand fiscal management. Look what a mess most of their personal finances are.