Originally Posted by Yurt View Post
what did clinton change? specifics. exactly what did clinton change from reagonomics? and how did this change cause the longest period of growth in modern us history?
What were the differences?
Well first Clinton increased marginal tax rates on the highest income partially to pre-Reagan levels and started paying down the debt.
He worked out budget cuts with congress that were broad and balanced, instead of trying to gut particular sectors that he was ideologically opposed to, like Reagan very ineffectively did. With the end result that he more effectively cut spending then Reagan did even though his goals were far more modest then Reagan's.
Clinton's increase of tax rates on the higher end forced more capital into circulation with the result that employment rose and standard of living rose. In addition, companies that produced goods were more profitable then they were under Reagan where most growth was in the service industry and not manufacturing. This attracted more investment and put more capital into circulation and created even more wealth. Keep in mind that during Reagan's tenure economic growth occurred almost exclusively at the upper ends of society (which could explain why they cannonise him) very little of it occurred at the lower ends and real jobs creation was marginal and there was no significant rise in the standard of living for most Americans during the Reagan years.
Clinton's shrinking of the debt also had an substantial affect on the economy making payment on Reagan's debt more affordable. The result was a boost in prosperity that extended through the full depths of the economy, not just the upper levels as during the Reagan years. This does make one wonder how much better Clinton would have performed had he not been burdoned with Reagan's debt?
Here's a figure that illustrates the difference between Clinton and Reagan and how Reagan's growth mainly benifited those at the very top. From 1981 to 1993 the median household income (adjusted for inflation) only rose 5.9%. An average of only 0.5%/year. Not to much to sing about. Yet at the same time the mean household income rose 17.5% (1.4%/ year) demonstrating how economic growth during Reagan mainly benefited those at the top.
From 1993 to 2000 median household income rose by 14.7% (2%/yr) while the mean household income rose 17.1% (2.3%) meaning that Clinton's economic policy, unlike Reagans, was a tide that really did lift all boats.
So this little essay not only demonstrates the differences between Clinton and Reagan's economic policy and Clinton's superior performance it also guts some of these mythologies about Reagan. The only conclusion one can draw here is that trickle down economics does not work but trickle up economic does. In other words the comparison between Reagan and Clinton can starkely be made in those two term. Trickle Down vs Trickle Up.
Reagan was great if you sat at the top of the economic ladder. If you were middle class or poor. He didn't do a hell of a lot for you.