Politics, News & Issues >
US Economy
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedShould the US adopt the Flat Tax Amendment?
Results so far:
| Yes | 60% | 153 votes | Total: 253 votes | |
| No | 40% | 100 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesSince 3 February, 1913 every US citizen has paid, surrendered, contributed income tax to the United States Treasury. I will grant the necessity for the US Government to take a percentage of what a certain US citizen earns. The country may pay the public servants, increase the capabilities of the US in a lot of different ways, as well as market what is produced. What I do not grant is how regressive the income tax is, and what it has become. There is absolutely no reason for the normal US citizen (who earns $15,100 - 61,300) to work very, very hard to earn a living, providing for themselves and those who rely on them, only to see the Government swoop in and take whatever they feel entitled to. This person will owe the US Government $6745, if they scraped by on $50,000. Rumor has it they work for us, not the other way around. Then, when it comes "tax time," you need an accountant to figure out what to pony up, if you are not average. Do not think of Bill Gates. Think of a small business owner, who earned $200,000 this past year. When "tax time" arrives, that small business owner will owe $45981.50.
The Tax Code is legendary for the rooms it can fill, floor to ceiling. I am not saying that is not what was intended, because I do not know. I also question the relevance of that argument. The truth of the matter is, this is what has happened. The 2006 Tax Table lists four different categories, single, married or qualifying widower, married filing separately and head of household. 6 income thresholds are listed for each, the dollar cutoffs are different, except for bottom and top. There is nothing fair or equitable about anything to do with the way the table is set up. To see what I mean, search on 2006 Tax Tables. The Tax Table is arbitrary and confiscatory. If there is anybody who feels as though they are not paying their way, the IRS will be more than happy to help them feel better.
The IRS Code exempts what ever any special interest group could convince Congress needs exempting. Which is why the Tax Code can fill the rooms it does. Once again, rumor has it Congress, and the public servants, work for me. If that be the case, then adopt the flat tax. The average American is over taxed, and we are also expected to keep our budget balanced besides. It has been said tax revenue will actually go up once this is adopted. Maybe, maybe not. Not a reason to adopt the flat tax. The only reason to adopt the flat tax is because it is fair and equitable. All the tax breaks and exemptions for this or that need to go as well. If it is true the US Congress works for me. There needs to be one exemption, for X dollars. If it is true the US Congress works for me. there needs to be one percentage of taxable income for every man, woman, and child in America. If it is true the US Congress works for me.
Learn more about this author, Thomas Sweeney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
The money system for thousands of years has always been designed as a means or medium of exchange for services performed or goods. Had the U.S. money system not been allowed to be grossly perverted by (natural law) laissez faire economics, we would not be having this debate right now. As we speak, central bankers making decisions affecting our money system still believe in this supposed "law of the jungle" financial system where any kind of make money for doing nothing scheme goes. If we had strict federal laws in place governing the money supply, open central bank practices and more democratic and open processes as to how the money supply expands and contracts in this country, a flat tax could work. This would also require a population that really had a firm grasp on reality, which ours does not.
At present, the argument for a flat tax is built simply on the psychotic belief that:
1. Greed is good. Greed is why our society flourishes.
2. I'll never have enough when I make over $250,000 a year, always at the expense of the common man. It's not fair that I should have to pay everyone else's share.
3. I can create any kind of make money for doing nothing racket to con people out of their life savings and law enforcement shouldn't care. The government has no business stopping me from screwing over millions of decent folks if I want to.
Let's assume number one was correct on any account. As you can see, our society does not flourish presently. Maybe 1 of 10,000 people flourish who make over $250,000. If humans were able to stop when taking more meant destroying everyone and everything else, greed might be good. The opposition stands 100% corrected.
In point two, the main argument here is $250,000 is not enough for me. The tax rate should be the same for me as it is for someone making $50,000. I guess us making $50,000 a year would like to know why you would complain about paying more taxes to a country and a government that allowed you to make that kind of money in the first place, if it benefited other people in the country.(the same people that buy your product or service, that made your $250,000 a year possible.) I of course would stand corrected, if the government used this money inefficiently, which is not always the case.
If you are ignorant and confused enough to believe point three, then you must also believe the government has no business stopping someone from breaking in your home whilst you are away on vacation and stealing your life savings. If you believe the law of the jungle should apply here, and you seeking justice on your own, I'd advise you to read up on the american mafia. Hmm... Gee I wonder why federal law cracked down so hard on the mafia?!
Democratic laws and governments are why societies flourish. Not greed,or the law of the jungle. Whether you like it or not, life on planet earth is a mutual relationship. The rich cannot survive without the poor and vice versa. In a true democracy, everyone has enough.
Learn more about this author, Bruce Allen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- US Economy
- Should the estate tax be abolished?
- Should Congress or the Treasury have control over choosing TARP recipients?
- Competition, not government regulation, is the best way to protect consumers
- Should the US Congress end tax breaks for hedge funds?
- Does it matter whether the federal government runs a deficit?
- Should we replace our tax law with a flat tax or a national sales tax?
