Comments on: The GOP’s Stalled Social Conservative Revolution

By: The Republicans And Taxes: The Donor Class Doesn’t Seem To Be The Biggest Problem » Postmodern Conservative | A First Things Blog

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 01:36:16 +0000

[...] Matthew Schmitz has a terrific post which discusses Mike Murphy’s suicide-for-the-Republican Party idea that the Republicans should abandon social conservatives and focus on hard headed economic conservatism. Murphy’s post has been beaten up by better writers than me so I’ll focus on something else. Josh Barro says that the real Republican problem is that their economic agenda doesn’t appeal to the middle-class. Barro writes: What are the “kitchen-table” economic concerns of the middle class? They’re high unemployment, slow income growth, underwater mortgages, and the rising cost of health care and higher education. Democrats have an agenda that is responsive to these concerns. [...]

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 03:56:07 +0000

Addie, what fair tax proposal doesn’t include a spending exemption?

By: Addie Marie

Addie Marie — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:03:51 +0000

The “fair tax” is regressive in that it does not account and create deductions for basic necessities of living. Thus, after taxes, the poor would find an even greater proportion of their income going towards items such as food, basic shelter, clothing, and other simple needs.

By: Joe DeVet

Joe DeVet — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:27:49 +0000

The whole premise of this article is off base. It assumes that the Barro who’s quoted has something intelligent to say about these matters.

He does not. He thinks that Obamacare and stimulus spending actually help the “kitchen table” economic issues of the middle class. They do not. The principal source of help for the middle class (and all of us, BTW) is a healthier economy and an end to the economic morass we are in. Granted, Obama didn’t cause the recession, but his policies have prolonged it, and arguably are about to cause a “double dip.” Far from helping the middle class, Obamacare, stimulus, antipathy toward real energy sources, etc etc are prolonging the hurt.

The fair tax “regressive”? What a silly thing to say. This statement alone disqualifies Barro as a serious commenter.