Accident Quote by Thomas Frank
“Maybe that first, gigantic deficit the Reaganites piled up was an accident, just a combination of deluded 'supply side' tax cuts and a huge bag of good stuff for the Pentagon. But pretty quickly conservatives discovered that deficits, when done correctly, did something really cool: deficits defunded the Left.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wrecking Crew by Thomas Frank, 2008
Deficits can be used strategically by conservatives to weaken left‑wing policies, turning fiscal shortfalls into political tools.
In simple terms: Conservatives turn deficits into political weapons against the Left.
Key Takeaway
Use fiscal policy strategically.
Themes
politics
economics
strategy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- budget negotiations
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
deficit spending
political maneuvering
supply side economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do deficits affect public trust?
- Can short‑term political gains justify long‑term debt?
A Different Perspective
Deficits may harm long‑term fiscal health and public services.
![“Everything [Ronald Reagan] got, the tax cuts, he had Democrats outnumbering him in the House and Senate everywhere. There were certain realities that he faced. But the biggest tax increase on Social Security was authored by none other than Bill Clinton.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ade/rush-limbaugh-28_bills_everything-ronald-reagan-got-the-tax-cut_106367.jpg)
