Coined by fiscal conservatives, the term “starve the beast” became a popular metaphor for using tax cuts to reduce waste and profligacy in government spending. Although starve-the-beast theory still has reputable adherents, the growth of spending and deficits even in the face of large tax cuts has worn down at least some of its former supporters.
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Bruce Bartlett is a syndicated columnist. He was formerly a staff economist to Congressman Jack Kemp, executive director of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, and deputy assistant secretary for economic policy at the U.S. Treasury Department.
