Transcript Final Policy Overview

Final Policy Overview
The Politics of Taxing and
Spending
• Voters want
– Prosperity
– Lower taxes
– Less debt
– New/cont. programs
• Objectives are
inconsistent
Top Income Tax Rates 1913-2002
Deficit vs. Surplus
Debating Welfare Programs
• Majoritarian Politics/Programs
– Examples – Social Security, Medicare
– No means test
– Biggest issue – cost
• Client Politics/Programs
– Examples – Medicaid, Food Stamps
– Means tested
– Biggest issue – legitimacy
• Delivery
– Service Strategy – A policy providing education and job training to help
lift people out of poverty
– Income Strategy - A policy giving money to help lift people out of poverty
Health Care Spending in the U.S.
Social Security and Medicare Cost as a % of GDP
Public Opinion on Social Security Reform