INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The Feb. 11 political cartoon "On the origin of Republicans by means of natural selection" shows them throughout evolution reciting the mantra "Tax cuts!" and then falling off a cliff.

WATCHDOG: This is funny but eight years late and, in our present situation, the wrong message!

According to Keynesian economics, the time to tax more was during the early part of this decade. Instead the Republicans along with some Democrats rewarded contributors by enacting huge and unwarranted tax reductions for the wealthy at the very time when the rich were growing much richer and the middle class was standing still.

Now during this dreadful recession (if not worse!) Keynes dictates tax reductions for the middle and lower classes. Along with funding relief and current levels of government programs, it is the fastest and most effective way to stimulate the economy.

What is so difficult about understanding that government needs to tax more during times of relative prosperity and reduce taxes during recessions?