Economic Scene - Bruce Bartlett’s Argument to Improve His Republican Party - NYTimes.com

Economic Scene - Bruce Bartlett’s Argument to Improve His Republican Party - NYTimes.com: "So Mr. Bartlett advocates a value-added tax — a federal sales tax — which most other rich countries have. Canada has a value-added tax that raises revenue equal to 2 percent of its G.D.P., and its economy has grown faster than this country’s over the last decade. Britain raises 6 percent of its G.D.P. through such a tax and Sweden raises 9 percent, and their economies have grown as fast as the American economy."

Economic Scene - Bruce Bartlett’s Argument to Improve His Republican Party - NYTimes.com

Economic Scene - Bruce Bartlett’s Argument to Improve His Republican Party - NYTimes.com: "His conservatism starts with the idea that high taxes are no longer the problem, even if complaining about them still makes for good politics. This year, federal taxes are on pace to equal just 15 percent of gross domestic product. It is the lowest share since 1950."