steve Charney

Trickle-down theory doesn’t work in reality

Trickle-down theory states that tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy will trickle down to everyone else.

U.S. Rep. John Faso, R-kinderhook, writes: “The constant call from the political left to ‘tax the rich’ is actually helping to destroy our tax base and jobs for our citizens.”

Faso is a trickle-down theorist. He believes by taxing the wealthy, they won’t have money to invest in our district.

Yet the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that the wealthy aren’t being taxed fairly, contributing to growing income inequality.

So as the rich get richer, why is the 19th Congressional District suffering economically? According to Faso, trickle-down theory should kick in. But it doesn’t.

Antonio Delgado, who’s running this November against Faso, believes government should help the public they represent with universal health care, women’s rights, protecting farmers and improving education.

Faso believes the rich will come to the public’s rescue.

But they don’t and won’t. Faso brags: “I’m not ashamed to be called a fiscal conservative or tight-fisted.”

Sure, but at the expense of his constituents? That’s not frugality, that’s miserliness.

Without social programs such as health care, we end up paying in the long run: When our family gets ill, when our schools fall apart and when towns have to raise fees in other areas to make up for a dwindling tax base.