Keynesian Economics For American Fiscal Policy - 2241 Words

Pragmatism reactionarily stems from the excesses of its past. The realization in United States politics that increasing government tax rates would not solve the economic malaise of high unemployment and rising inflation occurred in the late 1970s. Thus began a movement in the minority of economic thought suggesting the existence of a prudent alternative to the widely accepted theory of Keynesian economics for American fiscal policy. Though subtle at first, these ideas of supply-side economics gained traction quickly and reached the national stage with Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural address and promise to end the troubles of stagflation and begin the â€Å"[reawakening of] this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to†¦show more content†¦The crux of Ronald Reagan’s economic policy, the tax cuts, paved the road for success in the improvement of the economy. The promised effect of an increase in federal revenues and reduction in the cost of c apital for America’s private sector necessitated the lowering of marginal tax rates that occurred in Ronald Reagan’s first term. The embodiment of these reductions and much of the credit for the economic rebound of the mid 1980s can be assigned to the Kemp-Roth Tax Cut Act of 1981. Reagan’s trickle down economics strategy held underpinnings in his belief that the nation’s wealthiest individuals and captains of industry had been disincentivized to earn more money from the oppressive tax rates of his predecessors. Accordingly, Kemp-Roth cut the top tax rate from 70% to 50% as recognition of the disproportionate financial capability of the nation’s top earners to reintroduce prosperity. Additionally, Kemp-Roth provided benefits to the affluent by increasing the estate tax exemption from $175,000 to $600,000 and by increasing deductions therein to further circumvent the re-taxation of hereditary wealth. While Reagan entrusted the top tax bracket with t he responsibility of spending these funds as part of his plan to end the prolonged period of unemployment, Reagan also included provisions in the Kemp-Roth Tax Cut that affected all workers by removing