Trickle-down economics will never be a “fair flow”

Talk to a Republican and you are likely to hear them talk about the virtues of Reagan and Trickle-down economics.

In a nutshell, this theory says the wealth of the richest Americans and businesses  “trickles-down” to the middle and lower class, creating a rising tide. So in theory, to ensure the trickle keeps dripping, one should decrease tax rates on those most able to afford to pay them.  It’s an interesting concept and some money or wealth does indeed get spread through out the economy, but there is a reason it is called “trickle-down” and not “fair flow”… The amount of money that comes back into the economy is so finite that it only trickles; never flows.

if Reagan was so great; lets return to his income tax rates

The wealthiest individuals and corporations spending habits are now global.  Tax shelters and shadow corporations set up outside the US ensure the trickle will never flow or be fair.  I can appreciate and understand why people are skeptical of paying more in taxes to the US Government. I can also understand why people don’t want to pay more. While I’m hardly part of the 1%, I do have a good job and make a decent living but I don’t want to have to pay more in taxes either.

It is precisely because of my experience that I believe if the wealthiest do not pay more in taxes then there is little hope for decreasing our national debt. If I make a decent salary and I find it hard to save for my retirement how can I expect people who make far less than me to save? Do we think that the Baby Boomers in the US will not need medical care or attention? Do we think the world is going to become a safer place devoid of warfare and terrorism? Do we think that we do not have an obligation to care for our poor and less fortunate? These are not the American values I remember being taught, and I believe there is a price to be paid for being lucky enough to live in the United States and have a good job that pays a good wage.