As Budget Committee chairman, Paul Ryan has a reputation for "seriousness," which is why he's rarely challenged for saying ridiculous things like this:
Many Democrats and even a few Republicans in the Senate say the only way to tackle the nation's financial problems is to address both taxes and spending. But don't expect Ryan's budget plan to include any new taxes.
However, in a break with many Republicans, Ryan did open the door to higher taxes in the future, but only as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code, and only after the big benefit programs have been reformed.
"If we just do a tax compromise without fundamentally fixing spending, then we're just fueling more spending," he said. "Do I believe you can get slightly higher revenues without harming jobs, and get better economic growth? Yes, I do believe that. But I don't think it's a worthwhile exercise if you don't deal with the problem and the problem is spending."
Even if you view spending as the chief problem in the federal budget, there's this thing about higher taxes that necessitates higher spending. Indeed, we know this because it happened. Under Bill Clinton, Democrats passed a series of tax increases, and then -- over the next seven years -- preceded to lower spending and reduce the deficit. By contrast, GOP tax cuts have been great for high-income earners but terrible for the country's finances, especially when coupled with unfunded spending bills like Medicare Part D, which -- incidentally -- had the full support of Paul Ryan.
It's actually remarkable. For the better part of a decade, Ryan voted for a whole host of deficit-busting legislation. Despite this, he's been able to turn himself into a crusader for fiscal restraint. I'd almost admire the guy, if he weren't trying to turn the United States into a playground for the wealthy and privileged.
