Fiscal hawks recognize that running government programs cost money, and since they don't want to pay that money, they want to cut the program. I disagree with the latter (I don't think we should cut most programs) but (in general) that means we need to pay for it. This is where I take issue with certain campaign promises. The paying for it part is critical. You cannot say 1) government programs for all and 2) only the uber wealthy will have to pay for it. Universal childcare, healthcare, investments in infrastructure, social security, basic income... these can't be paid for by taxes on the ultra wealthy alone. Or even by cutting spending you don't like. Or even if you add in the wealthy. You need to be willing to say "you, middle class America, your taxes will go up, they will go up a lot, and I think the program is worth it." Anything less than that is not the truth. And if that turns off voters then whatever you're proposing was never happening. It may not happen even if people say they're okay with higher taxes. People said for years that they'd be okay with slightly higher prices in exchange for higher wages across the board and guess what. They fucking weren't. The lowest earners incomes' rose the most under Biden and people lost their goddamn minds over it. That's the electorate. Figure out your pay fors and persuade people to accept them, really truly accept them, or admit you can't deliver what you're promising. Because if you don't they elect Republicans to come in and gut your precious program.
also you can't just say "we'll tax the ultra rich more" like that isnt a tax policy! Thats a dream! What are you actually going to do to get more money from them? How are you going to tax wealth stored in unsold stocks? What do you do if your tax policy changes behavior? For example, a Pied-à-Terre tax works more like a sin tax, encouraging people to sell surplus property, not to pay more taxes. Im not saying these things dont have answers and Im definitely not saying we can't tax rich people more. But you need to have an actual PLAN.
