Graph of the Day for May 19, 2010

"The feds assume a relationship between the economy and tax revenue that is divorced from reality. Six decades of history have established one far-reaching fact that needs to be built into fiscal calculations: Increases in federal tax rates, particularly if targeted at the higher brackets, produce no additional revenue... a ratio of federal revenue to GDP of no more than 18.3% would be realistic."
David Ranson, Wall Street Journal.


Source:  David Ranson, Wall Street Journal.  HT: sedonaman.


Hoven's Index for May 19, 2010


Average federal revenues, as % of GDP, over various periods:

1950-59:  17.2%

1960-69:  17.9%

1970-79:  17.9%

1980-89:  18.3%

1990-99:  18.6%

1960-2000:  18.2%

2000-08:  18.2%

Source:  US Government via GPO Access, Table 1.2.


Graph of the Day Archive.

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