Topic: Government Waste

Opponents of tax cuts frequently use "sky is falling" rhetoric, claiming that any reduction in revenue will force immediate cuts to essential services like police, firefighters, and schools. Howell characterizes these claims as blackmail intended to distract voters from billions of dollars in existing government waste.

Proponents of small government argue that at least 10% of any local, state, or federal budget can be cut immediately by removing obvious waste. Deeper cuts of over 50% are possible by eliminating programs that are ineffective or counterproductive, though opposition groups often threaten to cut popular services first to protect bureaucracy.