Reagan Documentary on HBO

[TwinTownBisonFan]

A big emphasis was put on deficit spending and attempting to discredit Laffer, which in the face of current events is laughable. Other than that, I really enjoyed a lot of the old videos. I also thought Iran Contra was handled MOL fairly.

Ideology aside, it was pretty well done and entertaining.

Ha! Take that, conk naysayers who haven't watched it yet.

Now, since American taxpayers and corporations paid less in taxes last year than at any time in the past 50 years, we can all crack a beer and wait for Arthur Laffer's magic curve to take effect and produce so much revenue that the deficit will be paid down in no time.

THIS.

[Baldy]

A big emphasis was put on deficit spending and attempting to discredit Laffer, which in the face of current events is laughable. Other than that, I really enjoyed a lot of the old videos. I also thought Iran Contra was handled MOL fairly.

Ideology aside, it was pretty well done and entertaining.

Ha! Take that, conk naysayers who haven't watched it yet.

Now, since American taxpayers and corporations paid less in taxes last year than at any time in the past 50 years, we can all crack a beer and wait for Arthur Laffer's magic curve to take effect and produce so much revenue that the deficit will be paid down in no time.

Not at the rate the Obama administration's spending is exponentially increasing the deficit.

Theoretically speaking, the Laffer Curve is just as much of an economic fact as the law of supply and demand.

[AZGrizFan]

It is amazing to the point of almost unbelievable how fans of Reagan have altered history - literally rewritten history to reflect a completely different reality...

It's not like it was the dark ages... jeezus it was only 30 years ago
I got no problems with the guy but that's what makes him such an interesting cult figure - his diehard fan base and their distorted picture and really short memory coupled with the ability to re-draw the lines

THIS.

When I was in the GOP in the late 90's I noticed this... it's a freaking cult with this guy.

No WONDER Obama compares himself to Reagan.

[AZGrizFan]

Ha! Take that, conk naysayers who haven't watched it yet.

Now, since American taxpayers and corporations paid less in taxes last year than at any time in the past 50 years, we can all crack a beer and wait for Arthur Laffer's magic curve to take effect and produce so much revenue that the deficit will be paid down in no time.

THIS.

Can't pay taxes if you don't make money. EBITA.

[kalm]

Ha! Take that, conk naysayers who haven't watched it yet.

Now, since American taxpayers and corporations paid less in taxes last year than at any time in the past 50 years, we can all crack a beer and wait for Arthur Laffer's magic curve to take effect and produce so much revenue that the deficit will be paid down in no time.

Not at the rate the Obama administration's spending is exponentially increasing the deficit.

Theoretically speaking, the Laffer Curve is just as much of an economic fact as the law of supply and demand.

[Baldy]

Not at the rate the Obama administration's spending is exponentially increasing the deficit.

Theoretically speaking, the Laffer Curve is just as much of an economic fact as the law of supply and demand.

At least we know there is one tard out there who will work for free if the tax rate is 100%.

[kalm]

At least we know there is one tard out there who will work for free if the tax rate is 100%.

Given you're understanding of economics, this comment makes perfect sense.

[Baldy]

At least we know there is one tard out there who will work for free if the tax rate is 100%.

Given you're understanding of economics, this comment makes perfect sense.

It makes sense to those of us who understand Laffer's theory. This comment clearly shows you don't.

[death dealer]

Some of his son's anecdotes were really interesting; how warm and generous and kind he was, yet had no close friends.

It's nice to see somebody else watched it. Did you see it as a pretty fair representation? I'd be curious to see that fence sitter Gannon's take.

I'd like to see it, but I don't have television service. Wonder if it will make it onto netflix?

[death dealer]

of course - FDR only saved America from the Depression, right or left wing revolution, and defeated global fascism... all Reagan did was cut taxes on millionaires and spend billions on weapons systems we neither needed nor used... (and don't even about the cold war... Nixon paved that road by opening up red China)

Slight exaggeration in all three points. He played a role in two of them, the middle one was never truly a threat. He was a great president for many of the same reasons Reagan was the same. They both possessed very similar qualities and talents actually, but only if you are able to peel the ideological film from your eyes and look at this from a purely academic point of view.

[death dealer]

It's on here right now. Guy never reduced government by one iota.

Again, not completely true, but more accurate than the revised version offered by the groupies.

[death dealer]

One of the biggest things I remember about Reagan was his ability to inspire at times, and comfort at other times. His address after the Challenger disaster is one of my most acute memories of his ability to say exactly what needs to be said to the country at a given time. Reagan also had a direct influence in the Berlin speech. The hand wringers wanted him to take out the challenge to Gorbachev, but Reagan insisted on leaving it in. It became one of the touchstone quotes of the 20th century.

To me, Reagan was a national leader. I think that leadership ability is one of the first and foremost attributes that makes a good President. If our executive branch held dictatorial powers, then the ability to make financial, tactical and strategic decisions would be more important. I think Reagan was an inspiring leader first, and to me that was the kernel of what made him one of our best Presidents. I think we lose sight of things like that when we expect our executive to be able to solve differential equations and reliably predict the future as prerequisites for office.

Just my two cents.

Good comments. This is the number one reason he is so well thought of in general. He just had a way of making you feel good, even when he was handing you a shit sandwich. But don't forget that even in his first term he had moments of horrible approval ratings. But I'd go so far as to say that any "good" president almost has to.

[death dealer]

Some of his son's anecdotes were really interesting; how warm and generous and kind he was, yet had no close friends.

Had lots to do with he early childhood. His dad was a drunk. In Reagan's early childhood they never lived in any one place for very long. The ability to form close intimate relationships is a skill you learn early on in life.

[death dealer]

Relax G, I was kidding and sincere that I'm interested in you opinion.

I'm quite content to sit on the fence on most issues]. You thinking I'm partisan is like TTBF believing there's no such thing as an independent. Quit being such a conk apologist.

Really? Interesting.

[death dealer]

I gotta go. This shit is keeping me from my training for Mitchell. I'm supposed to be on my bike right now as I type. You guys are bad for me!

[houndawg]

It's on here right now. Guy never reduced government by one iota.

Again, not completely true, but more accurate than the revised version offered by the groupies.

Maybe iota is a little strong.

In fiscal '81 govt. spending was 22.9% of GDP, in '89 it was 22.1% of GDP.

[houndawg]

Some of his son's anecdotes were really interesting; how warm and generous and kind he was, yet had no close friends.

Had lots to do with he early childhood. His dad was a drunk. In Reagan's early childhood they never lived in any one place for very long. The ability to form close intimate relationships is a skill you learn early on in life.

I know, I had a generally similar upbringing my first ten years; strangely, I never became President..... they cover it in the program, you might check PBS for a copy, they're broadcasting it here. Also interesting to note that Obama, too, moved around a lot as a kid.

Edit: you spelled Titties wrong - not usually a grammar police but sacred words, like Titties and Beer, should be correctly spelled just to show respect....

[kalm]

Given you're understanding of economics, this comment makes perfect sense.

It makes sense to those of us who understand Laffer's theory. This comment clearly shows you don't.

It's not so much the curve it's the crazy theories it created. The curve is really quite simple:

[Baldy]

It makes sense to those of us who understand Laffer's theory. This comment clearly shows you don't.

It's not so much the curve it's the crazy theories it created. The curve is really quite simple:

The theory is rather simple. Taxable income elasticity is a concept that goes back to the 14th century, but scholars from Hume to Keynes have agreed it exists.

[kalm]

[quote\]

The theory is rather simple. Taxable income elasticity is a concept that goes back to the 14th century, but scholars from Hume to Keynes have agreed it exists.[/quote]

Of course it's simple, didn't Laffer write on the back of a cocktail napkin? But just because there's a point at which taxation kills revenue doesn't make Laffer's economics correct. Even the Reaganomicists realized this and had to increase taxes to make things work. The best you can say is that the revenue producing wonders of tax cuts have never been given a proper chance to do their thing.

[Baldy]

Of course it's simple, didn't Laffer write on the back of a cocktail napkin? But just because there's a point at which taxation kills revenue doesn't make Laffer's economics correct. Even the Reaganomicists realized this and had to increase taxes to make things work. The best you can say is that the revenue producing wonders of tax cuts have never been given a proper chance to do their thing.

No it's not the best I can say, and history proves it...

It's a two sided coin. Just look at this past century. It is a stone cold fact that every time marginal tax rates decreased, tax revenue to the treasury increased. The other side of the coin is poor monetary policy and the problem that occurs when tax receipts increase...so does spending. It doesn't matter who is in power. Spending is an addiction both parties seem to have, and an addiction that neither party has wanted to kick in the past.

[kalm]

Of course it's simple, didn't Laffer write on the back of a cocktail napkin? But just because there's a point at which taxation kills revenue doesn't make Laffer's economics correct. Even the Reaganomicists realized this and had to increase taxes to make things work. The best you can say is that the revenue producing wonders of tax cuts have never been given a proper chance to do their thing.

No it's not the best I can say, and history proves it...

It's a two sided coin. Just look at this past century. It is a stone cold fact that every time marginal tax rates decreased, tax revenue to the treasury increased. The other side of the coin is poor monetary policy and the problem that occurs when tax receipts increase...so does spending. It doesn't matter who is in power. Spending is an addiction both parties seem to have, and an addiction that neither party has wanted to kick in the past.

So theoretically, when revenues increase, we should cut taxes rather then increase spending, which would further increase revenue leading to further spending cuts and pretty soon we could eliminate government and everyone would keep 100% of their money. I see what you're getting at.

On a serious note, provide me a link to those tax rate to tax revenue stats.

[CitadelGrad]

Of course it's simple, didn't Laffer write on the back of a cocktail napkin? But just because there's a point at which taxation kills revenue doesn't make Laffer's economics correct. Even the Reaganomicists realized this and had to increase taxes to make things work. The best you can say is that the revenue producing wonders of tax cuts have never been given a proper chance to do their thing.

No it's not the best I can say, and history proves it...

It's a two sided coin. Just look at this past century. It is a stone cold fact that every time marginal tax rates decreased, tax revenue to the treasury increased. The other side of the coin is poor monetary policy and the problem that occurs when tax receipts increase...so does spending. It doesn't matter who is in power. Spending is an addiction both parties seem to have, and an addiction that neither party has wanted to kick in the past.

Buy typically there is a lag. When tax rates are lowered, revenues tend to decline in the first couple of years after the tax decreases before rising again. Conversely, tax increases tend to lead to revenue increases a couple of years after the tax increases before seeing a decline. Of course, there are other economic factors that can obscure the real impact of tax rate changes. You have to look at tax policy in terms of decades, not just a few years at a time.

[death dealer]

Had lots to do with he early childhood. His dad was a drunk. In Reagan's early childhood they never lived in any one place for very long. The ability to form close intimate relationships is a skill you learn early on in life.

I know, I had a generally similar upbringing my first ten years; strangely, I never became President..... they cover it in the program, you might check PBS for a copy, they're broadcasting it here. Also interesting to note that Obama, too, moved around a lot as a kid.

Edit: you spelled Titties wrong - not usually a grammar police but sacred words, like Titties and Beer, should be correctly spelled just to show respect....

I sure did! Man I am off my game here lately. I been typing like shit.

[death dealer]

I know, I had a generally similar upbringing my first ten years; strangely, I never became President..... they cover it in the program, you might check PBS for a copy, they're broadcasting it here. Also interesting to note that Obama, too, moved around a lot as a kid.

Edit: you spelled Titties wrong - not usually a grammar police but sacred words, like Titties and Beer, should be correctly spelled just to show respect....

I sure did! Man I am off my game here lately. I been typing like shit.

OK, fixed. Thanks for pointing that out to me.