Riedl

I don't see a lot of "spinach" in Riedl's report, just the typical Heritage Foundation cotton candy.

The Budget Menu, Arnold Kling | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty 2009

Riedl is pretending to not be familiar with the argument that when an economy is in recession an increased budget deficit can lead to increased economic growth.

Matthew Yglesias » If High Taxes Led to Growth, the Most-Taxed Countries on Earth Would Be the Richest; Which They Are 2009

The Heritage Foundation's Brian Riedl points out Mr. Obama's fiscal 2012 budget conjured up $700 billion in defense savings "by comparing the long-planned drawdown of Iraq and Afghanistan spending against a baseline that implausibly assumes those war costs would continue forever."

The GOP Will Benefit From the Budget Debate Karl Rove 2011

“Is the assumption that expanding government is good for economic growth?” asked Riedl.

Matthew Yglesias » If High Taxes Led to Growth, the Most-Taxed Countries on Earth Would Be the Richest; Which They Are 2009

Riedl then draws up a long list of Budget cuts in discretionary spending.

The Budget Menu, Arnold Kling | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty 2009

Brad DeLong observes that in an earlier paragraph Riedl acknowledges the logic of stimulus:

Matthew Yglesias » ARRA Is Not Crowding Out Private Investment 2010

Brian Riedl, the lead budget analyst for the Heritage Foundation, disagreed that the economics of deficit spending were quite this simple.

Matthew Yglesias » If High Taxes Led to Growth, the Most-Taxed Countries on Earth Would Be the Richest; Which They Are 2009

Brian Riedl at the conservative Heritage Foundation says he can save $343 billion next year.

Math Test Ahead for GOP on Promised Spending Cuts David Wessel 2010

Note also that the question of whether big government is good for the economy in general is separate from the question of whether government spending should be increased or decreased during a recession – a fairly obvious distinction that Riedl moronically chooses to ignore. ron Says:

Matthew Yglesias » If High Taxes Led to Growth, the Most-Taxed Countries on Earth Would Be the Richest; Which They Are 2009

Sam M is right, we should be looking for a poker analogy, unless Riedl thinks his shtick is giving him an advantage … such as continued employment.

Matthew Yglesias » ARRA Is Not Crowding Out Private Investment 2010