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Freakonomics Radio #620 · February 20, 2025 · 48m
The One Person in Washington Willing to Tell the Truth About Taxes
Dubner profiles a rare honest voice in the tax debate: a policy analyst willing to say what both parties won't — that taxes must go up OR spending must be cut dramatically, and neither party has a plan for either.
This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.
Canon
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Dubner's subject — the rare honest policy analyst — describes how telling the truth about taxes destroyed his career prospects in Washington. Both parties punish fiscal honesty because voters punish politicians who deliver bad news.
Highlights
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Both parties' tax plans are mathematically impossible — and both know it
Dubner presents CBO data showing that current deficit trajectories are unsustainable regardless of which party's plan is implemented. Republicans' plan (tax cuts + no spending cuts) increases the deficit. Democrats' plan (tax the rich + increase spending) doesn't generate enough revenue. Neither party will say this publicly.Was this useful?