Mike Tanner's belief that consumers are the key to slowing the growth of health care spending reminds me of the claims of supply-side economists that tax cuts would boost revenues.
Editor's Note: Ted Gayer, co-director of the Economic Studies program, delivered the following remarks at the Tax Policy Center's "Desperately Seeking Revenue" event on March 2, 2010.
Since the 2009 stimulus package was passed by Congress last February we have heard many strange claims about its effect - or lack of effect - on the economy.
One way to assess the $787 federal recovery package-which last month had its one-year anniversary-is the conventional way: as timely, short-term stimulus.
Late yesterday, the administration sent Congress suggested legislative wording to implement the "Volcker Rule" proposal which President Obama had announced in January.