The Brian Sullivan Blog
  • October 23, 2008 04:42 PM EDT by Brian Sullivan

    How Does 37.7 Cents on the Dollar Sound, Californians?

    The Milken Institute in California had a debate on the economy and economic politics today between businessman Leo Hindery and Stanford professor Michael Boskin.    The video is on the Milken website.

    I know Leo well and have interviewed him many times.  He's a very smart guy and successful businessman.

    I am not as familiar with Michael Boskin, so I was researching him and came across his personal website.   On it, he has posted his analysis of the possible tax implications of the Obama-Biden plan.    Boskin is an advisor to John McCain, so keep that in mind when reading it, but since he's a professor at one of the most prestigious schools in the country, one would have to believe he knows his numbers.  Those numbers are scary, and not much better in other states with high state income tax rates.

    From Boskin's piece: (link to the full piece attached)

    Obama would raise the top marginal rates on earnings, dividends and capital gains passed in 2001 and 2003 and phase out itemized deductions for high income taxpayers. He would uncap Social Security taxes, which currently are levied on the first $102K of earnings.  The result is a remarkable reduction in work incentives for our most economically productive citizens. The top 35% marginal income tax rate rises to 39.6%; adding the state income tax, the Medicare tax, the effect of the deduction phaseout and Obama’s new Social Security tax increases the total combined marginal tax rate on additional labor earnings (or small business income) from 44.6% to a whopping 62.3%.

    People respond to what they get to keep after tax, which the Obama plan reduces from 55.4 cents on the dollar to 37.7 cents, a reduction of one-third in the after-tax wage! Despite the rhetoric, that’s not just on “rich” individuals. It’s also on a lot of small businesses and two-earner middle aged middle class couples in their peak earnings years in high cost-of-living areas.

    Think about that - 37.7 cents of your earned dollar!   If those numbers are accurate it would go to my previous posting about tax rates and work effort.    That's quite a cut.

    Do remember this analysis is based on a state with high income taxes.   That 37.7 cents would not be quite as bad in states with lower (or no) taxes, but no doubt that 55.4 cents would still come down dramatically.

    We will reach out to the Obama camp to get their comment on these staggering figures.

Keith K

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Isn't this what Obama is proposing? From the "rich" according to their ability to pay (as determined by Obama and the DemocRATS) to the "poor" according to their needs (again determined by Obama). Pure Marxism. The liberals are so snobbish, they think that socialism has not worked anywhere else because they didn't have the right people running it. They just know that if they were in charge, everything would be okay. As if.

October 24, 2008 at 8:44 am

Wayne S

And you all wonder why the pre-market is down limit this morning? Incentives are expected to be put in place (If Obama wins) that: - Penalize businesses of all size - Threaten to (or actually) nationalize some (all) businesses - Threaten our401k's - Punish hard work - Punish innovation - Punish risk taking - Health Care based on Political Correctness not on ability to pay and need - etc. Why invest. Why not spend all your money now. It will be taken away by the government. It appears my old neighborhood buddies were right. Why work hard, years of hard work will be stolen at gun point by the government.

October 24, 2008 at 7:46 am

Blake

We need to all take a step back and become objective. We have somehow already "agreed" that 35% in taxes is something we can live with (based on the posts in various blogs). I, however, refuse to accept this rape of my paycheck! Have we lost our collective minds? This government of our's doesn't deserve a penny over 10% and that is pushing it! We need to strip government of every unnecessary program and initiative. We need the basics as defined in the U.S. Constitution. The "common good" has grown to include everything under the sun and I am sick and tired. Now we are actually discussing tax levels (just income mind you) of 40%+ and we're not even blinking an eye! I submit to all of you that if we reach a point (and we are very close) where our government "takes home" more than us that many, many people are going to throw in the towel. We will indeed have a depression because "the people" are going to see to it that it happens. We need to go to the polls in November and mete out some severe justice on Congress! That is just the first step. Americans need to get re-engaged with their elected officials and hold their feet to the fire. This is getting out of control and it is a tough task to stop a run-away train.

October 24, 2008 at 7:30 am

monkeyfurball

Wow. 63% tax rate. I currently pay about 46% taxes here in MN since I am in the top tax bracket. Don't forget that tax increases are a big drag on the economy and will contribute to even more outsourcing to other countries and even larger layoffs in the US since employers will be forced to match the social security tax increase for employees. The extra tax takes cash away from small businesses and this will stunt growth. I own two businesses and I would lay off people and either outsource to another country or replace people with machines if possible to reduce expenses. Of course, I will not be raising anyone's wages for years to come as long as these kinds of tax rates continue.

October 24, 2008 at 12:24 am

Cat

Brian, I'm not a Californian, but we are southbound on the road to hell if the suckers in America vote Obama into office. If the chumps out there decide the government needs to take all of their hard earned money and dole it back out to them in drips and drabs, they have truly turned into sheeple. Anybody out there still left with any intelligence will figure out that hiking taxes on the "rich" at $200K for singles and $250K for couples will quickly turn into taxes on the "fringe rich" and the "not so rich" making a heck of a lot less when the incoming revenues don't cut it (can you spell B-A-I-L-O-U-T). And who the heck will invest a dime only to have more of their gains taxed away at 20-28%? Yes people, we will have gains again... get a grip. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!! Grow a spine, get out there and take care of your own lives. Stop listening to rhetoric from folks who do not have your best interest in mind that claim they can "fix" your lives. They have never had the ability to fix your lives and never will. Quote of the century: 'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'                              -- Barrack Obama Really?????????? You at least got the first part right. Somehow I don't think I'll be joining you on your quest to run us into the ground... but thanks for the offer.

October 23, 2008 at 7:34 pm

Ralph

All I have to say is three words "BOSTON TEA PARTY"...

October 23, 2008 at 6:37 pm

Common Sense

Sounds like socialism--but don't say it, or you are a racist.

October 23, 2008 at 6:23 pm

Bruce

I can't wait to hear those self centered Hollywood types complain about how much there income is being affected. Serves them Right, or should I say Far Left?

October 23, 2008 at 6:19 pm

about this blog

  • Brian Sullivan joined FOX Business Network (FBN) in April 2008 as an anchor. He co-anchors the 10am-12pm ET hours of the FOX Business block. Prior to joining FBN, Sullivan served as an anchor for Bloomberg Television where he hosted the programs Morning Call and In Focus.

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