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- Apr 14, 2006
- Messages
- 23,117
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I guess I should say I am opposed to the progressive tax system as we have it.
Our current tax system is forced charity. I believe in charity, I support our church and several other organizations. However, I feel it should be my choice as to who get my money and not some inefficient government agency.
Honest question: Is that '50% pay no taxes' accurate? I think it means no 'income taxes'. They still pay SS and medicare and local sales taxes (and 'hidden taxes' in products that corporations must pass to the consumer).
Some of those income stats really bother me - aren't they based on 'filers' rather than the entire population? Not sure what to make of them.
-ERD50
Merry Christmas.
Everyone on the "anti-taxes" side says "why can't i keep what i earn" - but what about those who are not earning enough to sustain a decent living? and none of us want to "live" with the consequences of a low-income community - stressed to the hilt, self-medicating w/ drugs and drink etc.etc...
Then, people don't want kids to be abused (physically or emotionally), starved or have other poor outcomes - which often can be ammeliorated by increasing their family income...so all these service agencies pop up to provide things that aren't provided - most often because of their family income status...
I absolutely believe that people have to take responsibility for their own lives - but I also understand how crazy life can be (and disfunction plus stress produces more disfunction, not less)- and these services help keep people off the streets, help babies stay healthy and parents stay sane....
Rustic, perhaps we have to force charity because you cannot assume everyone is like you and believes in it nor would support it at adequate levels to sustain the standard of living most people expect in the states. take away the safety nets and it will all come undone quite quickly.
If you raise taxes for more programs in education, and you can prove that over a number of years that program graduated folks that went on to be self sufficiant, then maybe that was a wise use of the money.
Please see post 154. I clarified that I was referring to the federal income tax. That's the tax that pays for running the country at the federal level. Everyone benefits from having a federal government, and now approx 50% of people are paying for it.That so called 50% that do not pay taxes is false. Almost all states have a regressive sales tax that they pay. You are also forgetting another regressive tax that takes a big bite out of every working persons check and that is the Social Security and Medicare Tax.
No takers on lowering the estate tax to $1mm or to the median net worth and leaving the rate at 55%? Not even one? ? ?
Of course not! This is supposed to be a tax on RICH people, not us!!No takers on lowering the estate tax to $1mm or to the median net worth and leaving the rate at 55%? Not even one? ? ?
80 percent of poor households have air conditioning. By contrast, in 1970, only 36 percent of the entire U.S. population enjoyed air conditioning.
Kombat,
Just so I understand: Why, in 2007, is a microwave oven a necessity for a poor person when it was not a necessity for anyone in 1970?
We're not talking about lifesaving technology here, we're talking about convenience and keeping up with societal perceptions. And I'm ALL for convenience, but I don't call it necessity.
If taxpayers are to pay for anything for the poor, then they should pay for necessities. The bar is already well above that.
Also, when on the dole, you are a dependent on others, and those "others" should have an increased say in how you live your life as a condition of this support.
heh.In my profession, 1M means 1,000,000.
So, if by '$1mm' you mean a million million ($1,000,000 times $1,000,000), then sure! Those are the really rich &*$%^@*() - take their money from e'm, I'll NEVER be that rich!
-ERD50
Also, when on the dole, you are a dependent on others, and those "others" should have an increased say in how you live your life as a condition of this support
This is a very controversial position, but I actually agree with you.