Capitalism

SKOUSEN: Are Democrats ‘All Socialists Now’?

I am a monthly columnist for “Liberty Through Wealth.” Last week, I wrote an article entitled “2020 Vision: What Could Go Wrong?” that created some controversy. You can read it here.

In the article, I raised the specter that, despite a great economy and stock market, “President Donald Trump and the Republicans could lose in November, setting the stage for socialist Democrats to take over and reverse the benefits of the corporate tax deregulation.”

A reader questioned calling Democrats “socialist.” He wrote, in part: “There are no socialist Democrats: the socialist tax rate is 100%. Who has proposed that? Those of you opposed to ‘socialist Democrat policies’ should send me your Social Security checks and any Affordable Care Act reimbursements you receive — or stop lying about your position.”

A point well taken. Only two prominent Democrats actually call themselves “socialist” — Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Nevertheless, the Democratic candidates are all pushing for sharply higher taxes on the rich. The rates are not 100%, but they are moving in that direction. However, it was Ludwig von Mises who warned, “Middle of the road policies led to socialism.”

For example, Senator Elizabeth Warren favors a 70% income tax and a 2-3% wealth tax on the rich in this country. Her attacks on the super-rich get wild applause whenever she appears on the public debates.

Senator Sanders has proposed a wealth tax as high as 8% on wealth of more than $10 billion.

Sanders and Warren are two of three most popular Democratic candidates for president, behind Joe Biden.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a former Democratic candidate for president, advocates, “taxing the hell out of the wealthy.”

Perhaps the reader needs to be reminded of the lyrics in “Taxman” by the Beatles, which refers to the British government’s decision to take 95% of the people’s earnings. That was just a generation ago.

“Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman.”

Meeting in San Diego This Saturday

I’ll be attending the American Economic Association (AEA) meetings this weekend in San Diego. On Saturday, Jan. 4, 6:30–8 p.m., I’m hosting a Chapman University reception in Room Mission Beach C, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. You are welcome to join me. There is no charge and you do not have to register for this event.

Top 50 Economists: Check Out #41!

Speaking of economists, I received a surprise Christmas gift: I made a list of the top 50 economists since 1900. Read the list by clicking here.

I was glad to see that #41 beat out #50 (Paul Krugman).

I am not sure who is behind the Best Schools website and its listing of top 50 economists. There are so many influential economists who are missing, such as Steve Hanke, Greg Mankiw and Robert Shiller, just to name a few. But I’m happy to have made the list.

Upcoming Appearance

Join Me for the Orlando MoneyShow, February 6-8, 2020, at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. I will be speaking Thursday, Feb. 6, 9:30 a.m. about My Most Important Forecast & Strategy: When Will the Mother of All Bull Markets End? On Feb. 7, I will talk at 5:30 p.m. about The Best Offense Is a Good Defense: How to Beat the Market with My Five Favorite ‘War’ Stocks! Other investment experts who will be speaking include Bob Carlson, Hilary Kramer and Bryan Perry. Register by clicking here or call 1-800-970-4355 and mention my priority code of 049278.

Mark Skousen

Mark Skousen, Ph. D., is a professional economist, investment expert, university professor, and author of more than 25 books. He earned his Ph. D. in monetary economics at George Washington University in 1977. He has taught economics and finance at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Grantham University, Barnard College, Mercy College, Rollins College, and is a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. He also has been a consultant to IBM, Hutchinson Technology, and other Fortune 500 companies. Since 1980, Skousen has been editor in chief of Forecasts & Strategies, a popular award-winning investment newsletter. He also is editor of four trading services, Skousen TNT Trader, Skousen Five Star Trader, Skousen Home Run Trader, and Skousen Fast Money Alert. He is a former analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, a columnist to Forbes magazine (1997-2001), and past president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) in New York. He has written articles for The Wall Street Journal, Liberty, Reason, Human Events, the Daily Caller, Christian Science Monitor, and The Journal of Economic Perspectives. He has appeared on ABC News, CNBC Power Lunch, CNN, Fox News, and C-SPAN Book TV. In 2008-09, he was a regular contributor to Larry Kudlow & Co. on CNBC. His economic bestsellers include “Economics on Trial” (Irwin, 1991), “Puzzles and Paradoxes on Economics” (Edward Elgar, 1997), “The Making of Modern Economics” (M. E. Sharpe, 2001, 2009), “The Big Three in Economics” (M. E. Sharpe, 2007), “EconoPower” (Wiley, 2008), and “Economic Logic” (2000, 2010). In 2009, “The Making of Modern Economics” won the Choice Book Award for Outstanding Academic Title. His financial bestsellers include “The Complete Guide to Financial Privacy” (Simon & Schuster, 1983), “High Finance on a Low Budget” (Bantam, 1981), co-authored with his wife Jo Ann, “Scrooge Investing” (Little Brown, 1995; McGraw Hill, 1999), and “Investing in One Lesson” (Regnery, 2007). In honor of his work in economics, finance, and management, Grantham University renamed its business school “The Mark Skousen School of Business.” Dr. Skousen has lived in eight nations, and has traveled and lectured throughout the United States and 70 countries. He grew up in Portland, Ore. He and his wife, Jo Ann, and five children have lived in Washington, D.C.; Nassau, the Bahamas; London, England; Orlando, Fla.; and New York. For more information about Mark’s services, go to http://www.markskousen.com/