Taxes and the Times

The New York Times takes a stand: Taxes must go higher!  How bold, how tough-minded, how serious, how… utterly, utterly predictable.  The editorial is right that the candidates are all making spending promises they can’t keep, and that the budget has been mismanaged. But the solution here isn’t to make a grim face and say, "taxes must be raised!" Instead, it’s to stop proposing additional spending programs and start proposing substantial reductions — beyond just earmarks — in the programs which already exist. That means things like restructuring our entitlement system and getting rid of corporate welfare and wasteful ag subsidies. But the New York Times won’t have any of that — or at least not when they can sound brave and bold and blah blah blah by regurgitating every liberal’s favorite line: The government needs to take more of your money.