Originally posted by Bosse de NageIf there is to be tax it should be a flat poll tax, regardless of how much you earn.
A good idea or not? Let's hear it from our resident economists...
A fine is a tax for doing bad.
A tax is a fine for doing good.
The blinding contradiction of guvamints trying to influence peoples behaviour by upping taxes on things like cigarettes and alcohol. OK, can understand the logic of the interfering control freaks even if it is none of their business.
...but then why do they tax people for earning a living? i.e. doing good things. Are they trying to punish them as well? punish them for the voluntary trade of value for value? and what is worse, a graduated tax system that whips you harder the more successful you become. Even when wealthy people are likely to make use of private health care, education etc further reducing the burden on their fellow taxpayer.
The arguement for a flat tax is that it is "fair". The problem with this is that people aren't born into a "fair" world. Within any country there is inequality. The children of the rich have far more chance then the poor. Progressive taxation seeks to lessen the problems. The only peopel who support flat taxation are the rich and far right idealists.
The flat tax has many merits over our current tax system, not the least of which is that it is fairer. More importantly, the flat tax increases compliance (thus increasing government revenues) and eliminates arcane, outdated, voluminous and unfair tax codes, thus reducing the amount of man hours and enormous compliance costs for figuring out ones taxes. Incidentally, if the flat tax were introduced, there would be no further need for tax accountants, tax lawyers or the people who create TurboTax. They could then turn their efforts to less parasitical forms of earning a living.
http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?page=article&Article_ID=13863
http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?page=article&Article_ID=10202
How can you say Flat taxation is fairer than progressive taxation? If you follow your theory to its end, there would be no taxes- which would be much EASIER for everyone. Taxes aren't there to be easy. they are to stop the worst excesses of the capitalist system. The gap between rich and poor individuals and nations is increasing around the world. Flat taxation will speed up this process. As for "parasetic" lawyers, what about the CEOs of companies, who are paid over 20x what the average worker is paid. Are they value for money? I think not. Are they the real leeches, making huge profits off the back of your average joe? I think so.
Originally posted by wedgehead2Your harangue is too long to address, however, I will say that if this is what they are teaching in British schools these days, no wonder the Empire fell.
How can you say Flat taxation is fairer than progressive taxation? If you follow your theory to its end, there would be no taxes- which would be much EASIER for everyone. Taxes aren't there to be easy. they are to stop the worst excesses of the capitalist system. The gap between rich and poor individuals and nations is increasing around the world. Flat ta ...[text shortened]... Are they the real leeches, making huge profits off the back of your average joe? I think so.
Of course, the American Empire is just beginning isn't it? The spread of "American style" democracy (e.g. son of president becomes president regardless of popular opinion) is clearly superior to democracy where the person with the most votes wins.
Seriously though, why should the British Empire falling be a bad thing?
And how does the liklihood of holding an empire relate to the system of taxation?
Including Federal, State and local taxes plus other deductions for 401k and whatever else that’s coming out of my check, I only get two thirds of it which is almost enough to live on. I told my boss I’d like to get paid what I’m worth, but he said he can’t do that; he has to comply with the minimum wage law. So I’d be in favor of anything that allowed me to take home more of what I make.
Flat taxes will only benefit those already well off in society. If the tax burden is evenly spread by population rather than income, you might well end up having to pay more. The alterantive would be a higher tax on higher earners than yourself, resulting in a tax cut for you- completely the opposite of flat taxing.
Originally posted by PalynkaAnd here I was thinking, this is just what Palynka wants to be doing on a Friday night...I'll go and drown my sorries now. Hic. Sorrows.
Like most economic policies, it depends on what exactly is done.
I don't really feel like writing a treaty on this, sorry Bosse. Maybe some other day.
Originally posted by PalynkaLike most economic policies, it depends on what exactly is done.
Like most economic policies, it depends on what exactly is done.
I don't really feel like writing a treaty on this, sorry Bosse. Maybe some other day.
This ismply isn't true- a flat tax system means a tax system whereby everyone pays the same amount. It is a clear economic policy, not some vague thought!
Originally posted by wedgehead2You need to inform yourself about what a flat tax is.
Like most economic policies, it depends on what exactly is done.
This ismply isn't true- a flat tax system means a tax system whereby everyone pays the same amount. It is a clear economic policy, not some vague thought!