Paul Krugman is Tiresome, Part 38462

Kevin Glass | April 17, 2010 8:14 AM

Paul Krugman asks, "has there ever been a time in US political history when one of the two major political parties was so addicted to doublethink, so committed to pretending that it’s advocating the opposite of its actual agenda?"

He doesn't name the political party, and I can only assume he's talking about the Democrats. I mean, right? Let's go to the videotape.

Barack Obama, 2008:

I can make a firm pledge: Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase—not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.

Before I saw this yesterday, I thought Obama had only said he "wouldn't raise your taxes" or somesuch, giving him enough politico-speak to try to claim that he of course meant marginal income tax rates. No such luck for O. He's raised broad-based taxes, payroll taxes, investment taxes, sin taxes... you name it, he's raised it. There are now rumblings of a VAT. The only thing he hasn't touched for those under his self-imposed $250,000 threshold are marginal income tax rates. We'll see if he goes there.

So, Mr. Krugman, why is the Democratic party so rhetorically committed to tax cuts while inserting hidden taxes here, there and everywhere in every piece of legislation they pass? Has an American political party been so addicted to doublethink in this way?

Hat tip: Jacob Sullum