So, how much did the government actually contract under Maggie or under Ronnie? :-) Did that contraction stick?
Tax cuts necessarily require eventual reductions in government spending and thus the power of government, agreed?
Oh, not at all. You just borrow more.
Besides, spending is only part of the power of the government. Consider e.g. extending the reach of the laws which does not necessarily require any budgetary increases.
There does come a point when the bill must be paid though, even if it is over a long time. Even if it’s over 40 years as you pay back the interest on the debt.
Before we go further, I think we need to be sure we’re talking about the same thing when we say power. See, when you said a reduction in government power, what I heard was essentially less money, smaller government. I’m getting the feeling that that is not entirely what you meant, could you clarify?
when you said a reduction in government power, what I heard was essentially less money, smaller government.
That too, but not only that. There is nothing tricky here, I’m using the word “power” in its straightforward meaning. Power includes money, but it also includes things like the monopoly on (legal) violence, the ability to create and enforce laws and regulations, give or withhold permission to do something (e.g. occupational licensing), etc. etc.
So, how much did the government actually contract under Maggie or under Ronnie? :-) Did that contraction stick?
Oh, not at all. You just borrow more.
Besides, spending is only part of the power of the government. Consider e.g. extending the reach of the laws which does not necessarily require any budgetary increases.
And/or authorize the police to steal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_forfeiture
It works best if you let the cops keep part of their robbery hauls :-/
There does come a point when the bill must be paid though, even if it is over a long time. Even if it’s over 40 years as you pay back the interest on the debt.
Before we go further, I think we need to be sure we’re talking about the same thing when we say power. See, when you said a reduction in government power, what I heard was essentially less money, smaller government. I’m getting the feeling that that is not entirely what you meant, could you clarify?
That too, but not only that. There is nothing tricky here, I’m using the word “power” in its straightforward meaning. Power includes money, but it also includes things like the monopoly on (legal) violence, the ability to create and enforce laws and regulations, give or withhold permission to do something (e.g. occupational licensing), etc. etc.