Titled: Primitive party animals

Since the 1976 presidential election, the Democrats have not received more than 50 percent of the popular vote. Most organisms, except for very primitive ones, usually modify their behavior after repeated failure in order to survive.

Much has been written about why the Democrats continue to fail in the polls. But as an economist, I have been particularly struck by how they have failed to learn sound economics, despite all the empirical economic and political evidence of what works and what doesn't.

Let's start with taxes. There is overwhelming evidence our present maximum tax rates on both labor and capital are so high they reduce economic growth, job creation and the general level of wellbeing for Americans.

Despite this, Democrat candidates from Walter Mondale to John Kerry keep proposing higher marginal tax rates on labor and capital. (Note: President Clinton was the exception. He said he would reduce tax rates but then turned around and increased them.) Higher tax rates are not only an economic loser but are also a political loser.

This article is meant to explain why Democrats keep losing elections. It's pretty interesting and I believe the lesson applies to both parties. I have never understood how politicians can have so little knowledge of free market economics. I have no formal education at all but I do understand the basic concepts of supply and demand. I have never seen proof of any politician Republican or Democrat having this basic understanding. I guess Ronald Reagan came pretty close with "trickle down" economics but I was pretty young at the time and don't really remember the specifics.