Put your trust in economic history

Dan Smith, Las Vegas

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

Just before going to bed Wednesday night I heard that the country is in the throes of economic distress worse than any since the Depression. I didn’t sleep well.

But the next morning, I was told if we put the right people in office, we will experience “change,” which will deliver health care, education, jobs, tax cuts and all the good things anyone could want at no personal cost.

How? By “taxing the rich.” And who are the rich? Merely the creators and producers of all the good things we enjoy, the businesses upon whom all workers are dependent for their livelihoods. And because they, not the government, create jobs, it doesn’t seem sensible to hit them with monumental tax bills.

Because it seemed counterproductive to me, I did a little research and found that when taxes were raised in the past, in ’82, ’84, ’87 and ’90, deficits rose alarmingly, productivity was stifled, and jobs were lost. On the other hand, the Kennedy and Reagan tax cuts were followed by economic job growth and declining deficits.

Now, do I believe history, or the politician who is out, desperately wants in, and promises “the works” if he’s elected?