My number-one principle is, there will be no tax cut that adds to the deficit. I want to underline that: no tax cut that adds to the deficit.Well, barely a week has gone by, and Gov. Romney has summarily dispatched his "number-one principle" (underlined no less) down the memory hole.
Gov. Romney had pledged to reform taxes by lowering tax rates, which reduces revenues, but also by "broadening the base," which raises revenues. Specifically, his tax plan calls for lowering marginal rates on individuals and corporations; eliminating taxes on interest, dividends, and capital gains for households with incomes below $200,000; eliminating the tax on multi-million dollar inheritances, and eliminating the Alternative Minimum Tax. At the same time, he also said during the debate that he would "lower deductions and credits and exemptions, so that we keep taking in the same money."
Lower taxes for some; higher taxes for others. The net effect on the Treasury would be a wash.
Now, in a new ad, Gov. Romney is singing a different tune, saying "I'm not going to raise taxes on anyone."
Simple math tells you that if you lower taxes for some people but don't raise anyone else's taxes, total revenues have to go down.
Tax cuts for some with no tax increases for anyone are a net tax cut, which directly contradicts Gov. Romney's "number-one principle."
That is, it contracts his "principle," until Gov. Romney changes his tune again.
