OT: Rating the President

Fyron · #1 February 8th, 2003, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rextorres:

quote:
Originally posted by Fian:
I don't know about those that are forced to be generous are any less generous when it is voluntary. The US gives much to many other nations, and many US individuals still choose to help those less fortunate tham themselves. Interestingly enough, it appears (ok, I know this is true in Mexico only) that the countries where Americans help, they find that few nationals are willing to join them and help their own people.

Thanks for the support though. It is nice to know that not everyone believes the rich are evil. (:

No one said the rich are evil. The point is the tax cut is unfair.

No, the tax system as it is is unfair.

rextorres · #2 February 8th, 2003, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

quote:
Originally posted by rextorres:

quote:
Originally posted by Fian:
I don't know about those that are forced to be generous are any less generous when it is voluntary. The US gives much to many other nations, and many US individuals still choose to help those less fortunate tham themselves. Interestingly enough, it appears (ok, I know this is true in Mexico only) that the countries where Americans help, they find that few nationals are willing to join them and help their own people.

Thanks for the support though. It is nice to know that not everyone believes the rich are evil. (:

No one said the rich are evil. The point is the tax cut is unfair.
No, the tax system as it is is unfair.

I agree with you 100%!

Fian · #3 February 9th, 2003, 07:25 AM

OK, so what is a fair tax system?

Phoenix-D · #4 February 9th, 2003, 07:37 AM

Here's my concept, then..or rather my "hey, this would be a good idea" section.

1. No tax brackets. If the tax rate goes up as income goes up, make it do so -gradually-. Leads to 2..

2. No matter what, you make more money you -bring home- more money. A tax system that doesn't do this is almost the definition of unfair.

3. Simple is good. Unfortunately you get problems here. Simple means people try to weasel their way out of things. Laws are written in very specific anal ways for a reason unfortunately.

Phoenix-D

Fyron · #5 February 9th, 2003, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fian:
OK, so what is a fair tax system?

Something where people pay a fair share, not where the rich pay huge amounts of their income in taxes. You know, something more like a flat tax system. As it is, rich people pay a drastically higher percentage of income in taxes than poor people, but get much less in the way of benefits than they do. That is not fair in any way.

[ February 09, 2003, 07:11: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Slick · #6 February 9th, 2003, 10:07 AM

You folks might be alluding to a consumption tax.

Income tax taxes income, obviously, which in a way discourages more work because it puts you in a higher tax bracket making your harder work not worth as much. But you can spend as much as you want under this system (yes, most states have excise taxes too but this is theory). So basically the income tax system encourages more spending and discourages more work. Now why would you want a system that does that?

In a consumption tax system, you pay no income tax but you pay taxes on what you spend i.e. all taxes are excise taxes. In this system you are discouraged from spending and encouraged to work because your income is not taxed. People & businesses that consume a lot pay a lot. Most consumption tax proposals do not tax food & medical expenses. Let's see... less spending, more work & more saving... Isn't that a system that would make the economy strong?

Slick.

[ February 09, 2003, 08:09: Message edited by: Slick ]

Fyron · #7 February 9th, 2003, 10:10 AM

Only "normal" progressive income taxes discourage getting pay raises. Flat taxes and reasonable progressive income taxes (as in, the richest pay maybe 2x as much as the poorest that do not qualify for tax exemption for being below a poverty line) do not discourage that.

Quote:

Let's see... less spending, more work & more saving... Isn't that a system that would make the economy strong?

That is a recipe for disaster. Spending is what makes the economy run. If people horde money, workers lose jobs. Store employees lose jobs. Everyone suffers.

[ February 09, 2003, 08:12: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]