Spending made the Depression worse

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

I must disagree with "Tax increase is best option for state, economy" (Aug. 27, Page B-7). The authors insist that raising taxes is better than reducing government spending. I wonder if they understand that a huge portion of what made the Great Depression great was this very same idea.

Before he left office, President Hoover raised taxes considerably, followed by Franklin Roosevelt, who continued the trend. Most economists now agree that this tax-and-spend policy was a big factor that not only limited economic recovery but actually increased the severity of the depression. This is like promoting the beneficial, therapeutic effects of rape.

The authors admit there would be less private spending but more public spending, and that this is a good thing.

And being as there are many other needs to be met, why don't we just raise the sales tax another 10 percent? I'm sure our politicians could not only enthusiastically spend it, but then avidly insist that all they need is just a little bit more.

EARL HIATT

Patterson