Volcker: Economy needs bold action, including tax hikes

@CNNMoney March 14, 2012: 4:32 PM ET
Former Fed chairman Paul Volcker says bold action is needed on the nation's economy.

Former Fed chairman Paul Volcker says bold action is needed on the nation's economy.

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney) -- Former Fed Chief Paul Volcker urged U.S. political leaders to join forces for bold action to reduce deficits and secure the nation's future.

In a speech Wednesday that Volcker himself said was intended to be "a little provocative," he challenged U.S. leaders to go further in raising taxes and cutting spending than suggestions laid out by bipartisan deficit-cutting commissions and panels.

"The problem is the United States can no longer claim unchallenged leadership over the world economy," Volcker said at the Economy Summit sponsored by The Atlantic. "We have to do better . . . only a strong economy can ensure our political strength and national security."

Volcker, who led the Fed from 1979 to 1987 and served as an economic adviser to President Obama at the height of the economic crisis, more often talks publicly about financial reforms than budget problems.

His advocacy of the so-called Volcker rule that bars investment banks from trading for their own accounts is a key provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform measure. (Volcker: Goldman turning away from clients)

But, in switching focus, Volcker said that while the economy has "perked up," he warned of a "long slog ahead of us before we can claim anything like success."

Health reform coverage cost falls slightly

He said while he didn't have a "silver bullet" for short-term economic problems such as the long-suffering housing markets, he called upon public officials to get the nation's fiscal house in order.

Volcker said the debt plan reached by a panel led by Wyoming Republican Alan Simpson and North Carolina Democrat Erskine Bowles as well as the budget deal negotiated in the midst of last year's debt ceiling battle suggest consensus is possible.

But, he added, "I don't want to stop there. My play is for greater boldness," Volcker said, adding that tax reform should be a priority.

Volcker pointed out that President Ronald Reagan approved three tax increases during his tenure, adding that "simplification and revenue enhancement can both be possible in one fell swoop."

He said leaders should consider consumption-based taxes as well as a consolidation of personal and corporate income taxes.

On the cutting side, Volcker warned that Congress shouldn't undermine U.S. military strength, suggesting that the slashing should fall heavier in other areas.

He acknowledged that coming to a deal on cutting deficits won't happen until after the election. But he said he shared the advice he said he recently gave to the Obama administration.

"When we sit back and the election is over, we better be prepared," Volcker said. "Let's not let the lessons of the economic crisis go to waste." To top of page

Overnight Avg Rate Latest Change Last Week
30 yr fixed3.80%3.88%
15 yr fixed3.20%3.23%
5/1 ARM3.84%3.88%
30 yr refi3.82%3.93%
15 yr refi3.20%3.23%
Rate data provided
by Bankrate.com
View rates in your area
 
Find personalized rates:
Economic Calendar
Latest ReportNext Update
Home pricesAug 28
Consumer confidenceAug 28
GDPAug 29
Manufacturing (ISM)Sept 4
JobsSept 7
Inflation (CPI)Sept 14
Retail sales Sept 14
  • -->

    Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.