Ep. 145
This excerpt from Thomas Sowell’s “Trickle Down” Theory and “Tax Cuts for the Rich” refutes the common critique that tax cuts benefit only the wealthy. Sowell argues that this “trickle-down” theory is a mischaracterization, citing historical examples, including the tax cuts of the 1920s under Andrew Mellon, where lower rates led to increased economic activity and higher overall tax revenue. He demonstrates that this increase resulted from incentivized investment, not simply redistribution of wealth. Sowell further critiques the persistent use of this flawed narrative by academics and media, highlighting the frequent disregard for empirical evidence supporting his claims. The text meticulously details historical data to counter the prevalent misconception. Ultimately, the piece challenges the underlying zero-sum economic assumptions informing the criticism of tax cuts.