Darvish Intelligence: The Truth About Trump’s Tax Cuts: A Conservative Perspective on Helping All Americans

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

The Truth About Trump’s Tax Cuts: A Conservative Perspective on Helping All Americans

The Truth About Trump’s Tax Cuts: A Conservative Perspective on Helping All Americans

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS, Freemason, Windows Sons MRA Member, Bachelors of Science in Information Technology with Cybersecurity Specialization

As an Iranian-American who grew up amidst the contradictions of socialism and Islamism, I have learned firsthand how false narratives can take root and shape public discourse. One such narrative that has persisted is the claim that "Team Trump wants the poor to suffer to fund his tax cuts for the rich." This assertion, often repeated by those who are quick to criticize without fully understanding the underlying policies, deserves to be debunked.

I understand the concerns that arise when one hears of tax cuts for the wealthy, especially in light of the nation's widening economic disparities. However, it’s essential to grasp the broader economic philosophy behind such policies, particularly from a conservative Christian LDS perspective, which places the freedom of individuals and the prosperity of society above the ideology of collectivism and state control.

The Myth of "Tax Cuts for the Rich" Hurting the Poor

The core of the argument from critics is that tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals inherently harm the poor, perpetuating inequality. However, this view overlooks a key element of how tax cuts function in a capitalist economy. Lower corporate taxes, for example, do not just benefit the wealthy directly—they stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and increase investment, all of which have positive effects on the lower-income brackets.

Take the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. While this initially sparked outrage among some progressive circles, the outcome was a surge in business investments and a rise in wages for lower-income workers. According to the Tax Foundation, by 2025, the Act is projected to increase GDP by 3.7%, raise wages by 2.9%, and add about 339,000 full-time jobs to the economy. Far from a policy that benefits only the rich, these changes have created opportunities for all Americans, including those in lower-income groups.

Moreover, the claim that Trump’s policies leave the poor behind fails to account for the broader context of American welfare programs and the state of the economy under his leadership. Unemployment rates for minorities and low-income Americans hit record lows during the Trump administration, with African American, Hispanic, and Asian unemployment reaching historic lows. For those who claim that the poor have been left to suffer under Trump’s tax cuts, these tangible improvements speak volumes to the contrary.

The Power of Conservative Principles: Empowering the Individual

My journey from socialism and Islamism to Christianity has shown me the importance of empowering individuals, rather than relying on government mandates. In a society where people are given the freedom to prosper, their success often creates ripple effects that benefit the wider community. This principle is key in understanding why conservative tax policies are not just for the rich—they are designed to unleash economic potential across the board.

As a former Muslim leader and executive director of CAIR-Columbus, I saw firsthand how big government, centralized power, and ideological conformity stifled personal growth and economic progress. The conservative vision seeks to reverse this by fostering an environment where individuals—regardless of their background—are encouraged to thrive on their own merits.

It’s no secret that wealth creation requires incentivizing risk-taking, investment, and entrepreneurship. Tax cuts for businesses, especially small businesses, are essential for creating the jobs and opportunities that those struggling at the bottom of the economic ladder need. By reducing the burden of taxation, these policies enable the creation of wealth and, subsequently, higher wages and better job prospects for everyone. In this way, the Trump administration’s tax policies align with the principles of the LDS faith, which encourages personal responsibility, work ethic, and self-reliance, while ensuring that prosperity is not dictated by the state.

The Fallacy of Taxing the Rich to Fund Welfare

The alternative that critics of Trump’s tax cuts often propose is increasing taxes on the wealthy to fund social programs. However, this model has consistently proven to be ineffective. Higher taxes on the rich do not necessarily lead to more equitable outcomes. In fact, they often discourage investment, reduce innovation, and create a stifling environment for economic growth.

We can look at Europe’s social welfare programs as an example. While they may provide a safety net, they also result in high tax rates and sluggish economies. Countries with high levels of taxation, like France and Sweden, have been struggling with stagnation and an unsustainable welfare state. The problem with such systems is that they discourage the very elements that make an economy thrive: individual initiative, free enterprise, and risk-taking.

Instead of relying on government handouts, we should seek to empower individuals with the tools and opportunities to succeed on their own, without needing a bloated government to provide for them. Tax cuts for the wealthy, when done responsibly, create the conditions necessary for economic prosperity that lifts all people, regardless of their income level.

Conclusion

As someone who has lived through the consequences of oppressive regimes and ideologies, I can confidently say that conservative policies, like tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, are not about enriching the few at the expense of the many. They are about fostering an environment where all Americans—especially the poor—can prosper through individual effort, innovation, and the creation of wealth.

In a country founded on the principles of liberty and free enterprise, we must resist the temptation to rely on the government to fix our problems. Instead, we should embrace policies that encourage self-reliance and economic growth for all. Tax cuts for the wealthy are not the villain in this story; they are the catalyst for a thriving economy that can benefit everyone, regardless of their station in life.

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