I find it's usually fruitless arguing with republicans. I've got very few republican friends left these days, and for the most part, we leave each other alone :)
But I have gotten into it with this guy, and cannot shake him loose. I tried to say - "look, what I believe seems as obvious as the nose in front of my face, and you feel what you believe is obvious to you - we're not going to change each other's mind." ... But he can't let it go. He says our positions are not irreconcilable -- so then I come back with facts, and he just then retorts with more pejorative nonsense.
But anyway, let's boil down his latest screed to me - and then maybe you can help me respond. Here's what he says (it will sound familiar if you've ever dealt with these people).
The bottom line is that tax cuts by themselves will of course not be the single answer to increasing revenues. There must also be economic growth. However, tax cuts can and do stimulate economic growth...In other words, in the middle of an economic boom (Clinton's unsustainable stock market/dot.com bubble), revenues will increase regardless of the tax rates. But in a downturn, lowering taxes is a prime catalyst to turnaround.
See this chart depicting how dramatic that turnaround was:
http://www.heritage.org/...
It's simple really--higher taxes on businesses are disincentives to produce. The more you produce, the less you keep. So why make more? Why hire more? If I'm a working man, I want my corporation/boss taxed less...so he keeps more of what he earns...so he re-invests...so he hires more...produces more. More things produced for sale means lower prices...better quality of life for me and my family. This isn't empty rhetoric. This is borne out in results.
I've already tried to usual arguments - but I'm at a loss to respond with anything deeper.
Let me know what you can do.
By the way, I often reference bonddad's great diary here- but it hasn't helped me. Should I just give up and have a drink in this guy's honor?