Mitt's Tax Plan Is Not Mathematically Possible, Say the Lousy Marxists at Brookings, Again

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/further/2012/10/10

Mitt's Tax Plan Is Not Mathematically Possible, Say the Lousy Marxists at Brookings, Again
by Abby Zimet
10.10.12 - 10:42 AM



Using the analogy of claiming to drive cross-country in 15 hours without speeding, the right-wing thinkers at Brookings have reiterated their findings in a recent report, by them and the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, that both candidates have cited: Romney's avowed $5 trillion, "revenue-neutral" tax cuts would have to raise taxes for those making under $200,000, "even when we bent over backwards to make the plan as favorable to Romney as possible." Just in case any of you were still wondering.

"Our conclusion was not a prediction about Governor Romney would do as President, it was an arithmetic calculation: all of the promises couldn't be met simultaneously without resorting to tax increases on households with income below $200,000."

[Viking12]

1. I love this analogy of Mit's tax plan

Suppose Governor Romney said that he wants to drive a car from Boston to Los Angeles in 15 hours. And suppose some analysts employed tools of arithmetic to conclude that "If Governor Romney wants to drive from Boston to LA in 15 hours, it is mathematically impossible to avoid speeding." After all, the drive from LA to Boston is about 3,000 miles, so to take only 15 hours would require an average of 200 miles per hour. Certainly other road trips are possible -- but the particular one proposed here is not.

(Note: this is just an example that uses the logic to be employed; I am not suggesting that Romney has in any way broken a law.)

Especially in this inflamed campaign environment, one can imagine the frenzied responses. The Obama campaign might put ads out that say Romney wants to speed or is going to speed. Romney's campaign might respond by saying the study is a "joke" and "partisan," that he supports speeding laws and would never, ever speed, and it is ridiculous to suggest that he would. The Romney campaign and its surrogates might say that the analysts must be wrong because they don't even know what his road plan is or which car he would drive. Besides, Romney never really said he wanted to go LA, he might want to go somewhere closer; he could get to LA without speeding if he took more than 15 hours; he could get somewhere else in 15 hours without speeding. And so on.

http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/10/08-romney-tax-debate-gale

[Canuckistanian]

2. I do, too

Romney made a very specific promise. And with the numbers provided, it's impossible to do.

Ryan has hinted that it MIGHT be done by closing tax loopholes.....

But we all know that Romney is bankrolled and supported by people who want to ensure that those loopholes stay firmly in place.