Analysis & Opinions - The Washington Post

Trump's Top Economist's Tax Analysis Isn't Just Wrong, It's Dishonest

| Oct. 17, 2017

Kevin Hassett, the White House’s chief economist, accused me of an ad-hominem attack against his analysis of the Trump administration’s tax plan. I am proudly guilty of asserting that it is some combination of dishonest, incompetent and absurd. Television does not provide space to spell out the reasons why, so I am happy to provide them here.

I believe strongly in civility in public policy debates, and before the Trump administration do not believe I have ever used words like “dishonest” in disagreeing with the policy analyses of other economists. Part of my rationale for speaking so strongly here is that Hassett questioned the integrity of the Tax Policy Center — a group staffed by highly respected former civil servants — by calling their work “scientifically indefensible” and “fiction.”

Then, Hassett invokes Art Okun as support for his spurious arguments. To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen: I worked with Art Okun; I knew Art Okun; Art Okun was my friend. Kevin, you are no Art Okun.

Want to Read More?

The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.
Read Full Article
For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Summers, Lawrence.“Trump's Top Economist's Tax Analysis Isn't Just Wrong, It's Dishonest.” The Washington Post, October 17, 2017.

The Author

Recommended
In the Spotlight
RSS
While offsets are imperfect, they may be necessary to reach ambitious short-term environmental goals.
More on Energy
Danielle F. Jung and Dara Kay Cohen argue that lynching emerges when neither the state nor its challengers have a monopoly over legitimate authority.
More on International Security
Western models partly inspired the creation of Special Operation Command and Military Police and the development of private military companies.
More from Russia Matters
Most Viewed

Tags