In making an argument that federal government budget policies ought to be shifted in ways that reduce disincentives for people to have children, Newsweek‘s Robert J. Samuelson focuses on ideas Mark Steyn has been preaching for years:
Societies that cannot replace their populations discourage investment
and innovation. They have stagnant or shrinking markets for goods and
services. With older populations, they resist change. To stabilize its
population?discounting immigration?women must have an average of two
children. That?s a fertility rate of 2.0. Many countries with struggling
economies are well below that. Japan?s fertility rate is 1.2. Italy?s
is 1.3, as is Spain?s. These countries are having about one child for
every two adults.…
We need to avoid Western Europe?s mix of high taxes, low birthrates, and
feeble economic growth. Young Americans already face a bleak labor
market that cannot instill confidence about having children. Piling on
higher taxes won?t help.
