A few folks have been conducting an e-mail exchange all day on Rob Patterson’s interesting piece and the question of whether to support a child tax credit that can refund some or all of one’s payroll tax liability. The argument against is that it resembles a subsidy and not a tax cut, and that it complicates or competes with the case for systemic Social Security reform.

My own cynical argument in favor is that people who have children are helping sustain the Social Security system by having kids who can take care of them when in their old age. Or, even if they lack filial piety, at least these children will become the next generation of badly needed young wage-slaves who toil to support wealthy retirees.