Kudlow: The deficit is too high, we have to cut spending

How many times are we going to keep perpetuating this same lie? I mean, the last round of tax cuts immediately inflated the budget deficit and lowered pay rolls. We have plenty of other instances to back up this assertion as well.

@HoolaHoopMan: I wasn't being serious. Take a look at that graph again :-P

Meanwhile, I'll admit that math humor isn't the best humor...

Oh I know, I was referencing JimB. There seems to be a black hole of present day knowledge and the inability to critically think on his part.

'Let's lower taxes to 0%, the ultimate amount of Laffer revenue!'

@HoolaHoopMan: In that case, I'm thrilled to tell you that he's not going away, bless his heart.

@theone86: progressive taxation... elaborate please. Nationalized healthcare will only work if they regulate the healthcare industry.

I'm asking the questions because in your previous post you acted as if only Republicans were to blame and that is laughable.

@blackhairedhero: if national healthcare would only work with government regulations, then free market health care would only work with deregulation. That is what you're saying right? If that's the case then let's flood the free market with cheap indian doctors and specialist, let's lower the standards of entry for someone to become a doctor or a nurse. Let's get rid of all patent laws protecting drugs. Let's get this done, and we can talk about free market health care. Until then you can piss off.

@blaznwiipspman1: Flood the market with lower quality doctors? Lol wow you're an absolute moron.

I was thinking along the lines of a limit the cost of things like CT scans, Xrays and MRI's. That would be a start. Stop allowing the healthcare system to charge whatever they want and making taxpayers pay the bills.

You want the government to limit the price on such things?

What's funny Horgen is that in some subsystems (such as the Worker's Compensation system) we already do.

I am not entirely opposed to the idea. However it wasn't what I expected to see right away.

Republicans are the ones pushing the narrative about government spending, ergo Republicans should be the ones putting their money where their mouths are and forgoing government salaries.

@theone86: Ironically Trump doesn't take s salary. As far as pay cuts for politicians I'd be ok with that but it needs to be for all of them.

You've reached the conclusion TheOne was trying to lead you to earlier. Pointing at people concerned about income inequality like Bernie and proclaiming that he should give away all of his money is dumb. One is a matter of a single individual action while the other is a matter of substantive policy.

@horgen: Yes I do, Have you seen the cost for a single CT scan? I had kidney stones and went to the ER( had no clue what was going on). That ER got $15,000 dollars and all they did was pump me with some fluids and give me an Xray and a CT scan. That is insane. I had to pay $1,500 out of pocket but the total bill was over 15k. And people want to talk about nationalized healthcare? Imagine being part of an industry that EVERYONE has to be involved in( because at some point everyone will get sick) and being able to charge the consumer whatever you want and you know the taxpayer is going to fit the bill. I'm sorry but nationalized healthcare wont work without some regulation.

Trump takes a salary, it's called using government to benefit his businesses, which is why he should be forced to divest. And typical of a Republican, can't put their money where their mouth is. You guys don't want to live by your own standards, you want to force them on everyone else. I'm fine with deficits, and so are most Democrats, which is why I'm not demanding they cut their salaries. And I never said politicians, I said government employees. Are you completely tone-deaf, or just willfully ignorant?

@theone86: No your just a biast moron who wants to reward people for giving us a deficit. Do you know how ridiculous you sound? So it's ok for liberal politicians to be worth 30 million and use politics to make themselves richer but not Republicans? I want to cut it out everywhere you however are so far left you want to reward those who fit your agenda. God you are a perfect braindead puppet.

@mattbbpl: No I didn't look at his post. He wants to reward Democrats. Hes ok with liberals being paid because he supports deficits. I also would limit it to politicians.

You're clearly not listening to what I'm saying. If Republican officials (note officials, not politicians) have a problem with deficits, then they should start by cutting their own salaries. Democratic officials don't have a problem with deficits, which is why this logic doesn't apply to them. And I never said word one about their net worth. It's pretty clear that you're just dead-set on ramming your agenda down everyone else's throat and supporting punishing people who oppose that agenda simply because they oppose it. You're the perfect embodiment of Trump and everything that's wrong with his worldview.

I have absolutely no idea since I don't have to pay anything upfront or ever see any of the real costs...

@theone86: listen to what you just said. You accused Trump of taking a salary when in fact he doesn't. Because he uses the government to help his business profit? You realize every government official does this shit in some way right? But your ok if people who support deficits? Lol again Obey you puppet.

@blackhairedhero: yes that's exactly what I'm talking about. Why are there regulations limitting the number of doctors in the market? Doctors are getting paid millions of dollars an year, millions that they wouldn't see in a real free market Should the poor and middle class pay out or there ass in such a fake free market system where doctors salaries are artificially inflated through regulations? You paid $15 k for getting rid of kidney stones. It would have cost $2k to do the same thing in India. That's including the flight ticket. Why can't doctors from India come here? Or Chinese doctors? Flood the market and people will pay what they can afford. At the very least let insurance cover the cost of foreign health care options. That's also a free market system. But I bet that's illegal due to some crockpot laws and regulations.

@blackhairedhero: trump doesn't need a salary he's getting bribes and kickbacks, sweet heart deals, secret business transactions in his business from foreign countries.

What a moron. I wonder how other economists even deal with him.

No, in fact most don't. That is the very definition of cronyism. Thank you for showing everyone just how sick and twisted your viewpoint is.

@theone86: Are you serious right now? Hillary Clinton is worth over 30 million dollars and is a lifelong politician. Please explain to me how that happens?

You are delusional!

Lowers taxes

Increases budget for military

You don't say?

I was not arguing that he wasn't well off, nor is his wealth particularly surprising for a senator.