Reply #12: Because taking that position gets one elected [View All]

[Still Sensible]

Taxes have become such a demonizing thing in elective politics because it works. It doesn't matter if higher tax rates make sense, those opposing them have a default electoral edge. If it didn't work, they wouldn't do it. It's like most people deplore negative political ads, so why does any candidate do it... because it works.

Of course, how well it works varies by jurisdiction. My state, Oklahoma, might be the worst.