by k2000k » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:10 am
@ Charles Dean. I agree with you in the investment on infrastructure that allowed the US to have high taxes and still have growth, that is why I say despite the fact of high taxes. However, I still think it is very relevant to consider that fact that the US was also coming off one of the worst depressions we had ever experienced during the 30's and a war time economy during much of the 40's. How could the US not experience a period of fantastic growth with the reintroduction of millions of consumers that did not exits, or could not be served, for about two decades. Considering where the US is now I do not necessarily agree that higher taxes will lead to the same growth. Economics 101, a raise in taxes lowers GDP. However, if those funds are used wisely by the goverment GDP could grow because of goverment spending. Howevre, you could also cut taxes to raise GDP, provided that there is an actual increase in consumption or businesses use it to reinvest in their business. Whether or not taxes will be raised, probably will be, the US needs to invest in infrastructure, one of the few policies of the president-elect I wholeheartedly support. However I think we should keep in mind that the US already has one of the highest corporate taxes in the developed world, and I believe that it plays some part in the fervor to which US industries exported jobs.