Krugman: "Dooh Nibor Economics"

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

The invention of this term alone is worth the article. But, of course, there's more:

"Last week The Washington Post got hold of an Office of Management and Budget memo that directed federal agencies to prepare for post-election cuts in programs that George Bush has been touting on the campaign trail. These include nutrition for women, infants and children; Head Start; and homeland security. The numbers match those on a computer printout leaked earlier this year — one that administration officials claimed did not reflect policy.

Beyond the routine mendacity, the case of the leaked memo points us to a larger truth: whatever they may say in public, administration officials know that sustaining Mr. Bush's tax cuts will require large cuts in popular government programs. And for the vast majority of Americans, the losses from these cuts will outweigh any gains from lower taxes.

It has long been clear that the Bush administration's claim that it can simultaneously pursue war, large tax cuts and a "compassionate" agenda doesn't add up. Now we have direct confirmation that the White House is engaged in bait and switch, that it intends to pursue a not at all compassionate agenda after this year's election.

That agenda is to impose Dooh Nibor economics — Robin Hood in reverse. The end result of current policies will be a large-scale transfer of income from the middle class to the very affluent, in which about 80 percent of the population will lose and the bulk of the gains will go to people with incomes of more than $200,000 per year.

Edit: D'oh! The link: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/01/opinion/01KRUG.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fPaul%20Krugman

[redqueen]

1. Thank goodness for Paul Krugman!

How sad that there aren't more people aware of the bush gang's unending lies. :(

[mistertrickster]

2. And the link would be?

Thanking you in advance . . .

:)

[redqueen]

3. Allow me...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/01/opinion/01KRUG.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fPaul%20Krugman

:)

[goobergunch]

4. kick

:kick:

[redqueen]

5. And another

For a FANTASTIC editorial.

A taste:

Last week The Washington Post got hold of an Office of Management and Budget memo that directed federal agencies to prepare for post-election cuts in programs that George Bush has been touting on the campaign trail. These include nutrition for women, infants and children; Head Start; and homeland security. The numbers match those on a computer printout leaked earlier this year — one that administration officials claimed did not reflect policy.

Beyond the routine mendacity, the case of the leaked memo points us to a larger truth: whatever they may say in public, administration officials know that sustaining Mr. Bush's tax cuts will require large cuts in popular government programs. And for the vast majority of Americans, the losses from these cuts will outweigh any gains from lower taxes.

(snip)

That agenda is to impose Dooh Nibor economics — Robin Hood in reverse. The end result of current policies will be a large-scale transfer of income from the middle class to the very affluent, in which about 80 percent of the population will lose and the bulk of the gains will go to people with incomes of more than $200,000 per year.

I can't back that assertion with official numbers, because under Mr. Bush the Treasury Department has stopped releasing information on the distribution of tax cuts by income level. Estimates by the Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center, which now provides the numbers the administration doesn't want you to know, reveal why. This year, the average tax reduction per family due to Bush-era cuts was $1,448. But this average reflects huge cuts for a few affluent families, with most families receiving much less (which helps explain why most people, according to polls, don't believe their taxes have been cut). In fact, the 257,000 taxpayers with incomes of more than $1 million received a bigger combined tax cut than the 85 million taxpayers who make up the bottom 60 percent of the population.

[taquinas101]

6. Great article . . . Thanks for the link

[wicket]

7. Krugman hits another one out of the park!

Krugman rules :)

[wtf]

8. Anything from Krugman deserves a kick, thanks for the link!

:kick:

[JanMichael]

9. Amazingly clear piece of writing. Krugman has become one of my favs.

Your average Jo can grasp what this world renowned economist is conveying...That we're being screwed.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. Kick for Da Krugster

:kick:

[Bozita]

11. Krugman's columns belong on the front page of DU's GD forum

Never on page 3.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. Indeed they do. (nt)