Math And Lies

It takes a second grade education to recognize that the Romney/Ryan budget plans simply don't add up.  Their oft-repeated dodge of that fact, namely that they'll let Congress figure it out, is just that: a dodge. While complaining about Obama's so-called "failure to lead" on the issue, they claim it's possible to cut taxes twenty-percent across the board, increase defense spending, and balance the budget by "closing loopholes," but refuse to say how. Or, as some might describe making a proposal: leading. That there aren't enough loopholes between here and the nearest galaxy is clear. (Maybe there are on the planet Mitt gets to be king of when he dies.) That they'd have to cut domestic spending beyond the point of societal failure is also clear. Cutting PBS and Planned Parenthood falls short by approximately the entire amount in need of up-making.

Paul Ryan claimed, during the VP debate, that there are "six studies" that confirmed their claims. I'm sure the reader will be surprised to hear that's bullshit, but here's the scoop, anyway:

Mitt Romney's campaign says I'm full of it. I said Romney's tax plan is mathematically impossible: he can't simultaneously keep his pledges to cut tax rates 20 percent and repeal the estate tax and alternative minimum tax; broaden the tax base enough to avoid growing the deficit; and not raise taxes on the middle class. They say they have six independent studies -- six! -- that "have confirmed the soundness of the Governor’s tax plan," and so I should stop whining.  Let's take a tour of those studies and see how they measure up.

The Romney campaign sent over a list of the studies, but they are perhaps more accurately described as "analyses," since four of them are blog posts or op-eds. I'm not hating -- I blog for a living -- but I don't generally describe my posts as "studies." None of the analyses do what Romney's campaign says: show that his tax plan is sound. I'm going to walk through them individually, but first I want to make a broad point...

He goes on to do just that, and more. The point: their numbers are impossible and their dodges are smoke, along with lies. Not that anyone should be surprised: it's what they do.

[Image source]