Chris Matthews Wednesday actually asked Ron Reagan, "Did [your father] really believe if you lowered the tax rates the government made more money?"
Frankly, I'm not sure which was more absurd - the question or the answer (video follows with transcript and commentary):
CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Ron, I got to get back to you and then to Doug. Did he really believe if you lowered the tax rates the government made more money? I mean, really believe it?
RON REAGAN: You know, I think he actually -- honestly, I think he did. All evidence to the contrary, I know, find me a time when that actually happened, but I think he believed somehow that that would happen.
Well, let's see. In Jimmy Carter's last budget (fiscal 1981), total tax receipts were $599 billion. In Reagan's last budget (fiscal 1989), they were $991 billion, a 65 percent increase.
Any questions, Ron, or is this too tough for you?
(H/T NBer David)
