Topic: Bruce Bartlett

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National debt ceiling 101: Is a crisis looming?

In a year of high drama over federal budgets, the nation’s so-called national debt ceiling is becoming a prominent part of the political debate. The Treasury is close to hitting this borrowing limit, yet many in Congress say the ceiling shouldn’t be raised without new commitments to put America on a path of fiscal prudence. Here’s a guide to how the ceiling works and what’s at stake for the economy.

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Tax VOX
Two good books on tax reform

If you want a good read on individual or corporate tax refprm, pick up one of these new titles.
Donald Marron
How to design a coherent tax system

Our code is too complex, unfair, and economically harmful. Fixing it will take a heightened level of care.
Tax VOX
The tax system needs a bulldozer

Our tax system is a mess and unless we send a clear signal to Congress to do something about it, it’s just going to get messier and messier.
Rick Perry's flat tax plan: Would you have to do your taxes twice?

People could opt for flat tax rate of 20 percent or stick with the current tax system. The Rick Perry plan offers choice, but people might need to do two calculations to tell which is best, some say.
Herman Cain's '999 plan': long overdue tax reform or job killer?

Herman Cain's political star is lately on the rise, thanks in no small part to the persistent marketing of his '9-9-9 plan' to reform the tax code. Independent economists say the plan takes us into uncharted territory.
Donald Marron
Oops! Senate Republicans’ big budget mistake

There's some sloppy math in the balanced budget amendment that Senate Republicans introduced last week. Will they fix it?
Budget stalemate: Why America won't raise taxes

Budget stalemate has many on Capitol Hill crunching numbers. With any new budget, taxes may be the real third rail of politics. Can the U.S. solve its fiscal woes without more revenue?
National debt ceiling 101: Is a crisis looming?

In a year of high drama over federal budgets, the nation’s so-called national debt ceiling is becoming a prominent part of the political debate. The Treasury is close to hitting this borrowing limit, yet many in Congress say the ceiling shouldn’t be raised without new commitments to put America on a path of fiscal prudence. Here’s a guide to how the ceiling works and what’s at stake for the economy.
Economist Mom
What the president’s economic report leaves out

The report by the president's Council of Economic Advisers makes no mention of 'tax reform' or 'entitlements.'
Economist Mom
Republicans would rather default than raise taxes? Seriously?!

Congressional Republicans say they won't raise the debt ceiling until spending is changed. That's not a principled stand, it's a threat against America honoring its word.
Who’s picking up the tab for the tea party?

The tea party movement may have genuine grassroots. But just beneath the surface are professional fund-raisers, foundations, and political action committees – some of which have been around for years – pushing a conservative-libertarian agenda.
Stefan Karlsson
Starve the beast? It's a poor way to cut the deficit.

The 'starve the beast' strategy – raising spending but not taxes – hasn't cut the deficit.
Economist Mom
Why a value-added tax? Because no one's offering something better than the VAT.

Although both parties have rejected a value-added tax, political gridlock is keeping them from offering better alternatives than the VAT.
Economist Mom
Obama's fiscal commission: Critics' 'magic pony' arguments don't fly

Some critics attack Obama's fiscal commission as a Trojan horse for tax increases. But their 'magic pony' solutions are fanciful.
What's behind Obama's big shift

He is overseeing the boldest expansion of government in a generation. Is it a 'new pragmatism' right for the times or dangerous overreach by a young president?
Obama sets himself a high political bar

The economic stimulus bill is his first big test in replacing ‘old habits’ with less partisanship in Washington.
Credit crisis overturns free-market ideology

The next president will decide whether the shift away from laissez faire is permanent.
Treasury chief Paulson on verge of historic new powers

The administration's bailout plan would make him temporary overseer of the US financial system.