Taxation

[© tweed]

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[dazzleman]

We already have a progressive tax, and I think it should stay that way.  I don't favor the flat tax.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Tax simplification is needed more than tax rate reform.

[David S]

In my opinion a tax system which causes equal agony to everyone is the fairest. Then everyone has an incentive to see government be as frugal as possible with the tax dollar. Of the two choices I pick flat tax, although many of the flat tax proposals have very high deductables which defeat the "equal agony" concept.

[dazzleman]

In my opinion a tax system which causes equal agony to everyone is the fairest. Then everyone has an incentive to see government be as frugal as possible with the tax dollar. Of the two choices I pick flat tax, although many of the flat tax proposals have very high deductables which defeat the "equal agony" concept.

I agree with you on the equal agony concept.  This is the best way to maintain more limited government, because people are much more likely to favor destructive expansion of government when they think somebody else is largely paying for it.

I think though that to achieve equal agony, a progressive system is more appropriate.  If tax rates are flat, the relative level of agony is much higher for those with lower incomes than for those with higher incomes.

[nclib]

Definitely a progressive tax, though the difference in the rates between lowest and highest should be increased.

[Frodo]

I definitely support the progressive income tax, though I am open to ideas on how to reform it.  And as long as any tax reform proposal retains the progressive nature of the income tax, I would be more inclined to support it. 

[opebo]

Definitely a progressive tax, though the difference in the rates between lowest and highest should be increased.

I could not agree more - exempt more poors, and raise the top rate to at least 50% and preferrably 70%.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Progressive tax

[MODU]

One way or another, the current tax system needs to be scrapped and started over from scratch.  Just like writing a computer program that you update repeatedly over time, you start creating issues where the program will crash where the new lines of code class with the old lines of code.  The same is true with our current tax system.

With a progressive tax system, the burden is shifted disproportionately to the higher income earners, sparing the "poor."  This is good, assuming the rich in the nation are still active income generators and do not abuse the current (endless) pages of exemptions.  With a flat tax system, each member above a certain financial standing position (aka, the "poor") are charged at the same percentage rate, with most deductions elimitated from the calculation. 

Personally, under either model, we need to ensure we tax people based on their total wealth, and not primarily on their income.  This is the only way the true rich people carry their proper percentage of burden, especially when the endless list of deductions are limited.

[John Dibble]

I favor a flat tax rate that exempts a certain amount of money before taxing it with the only added exemption being having more children/dependents. I'd say it's a simple system that considers the needs of the poor.

[Democratic Hawk]

Progressive tax easily

Dave

[David S]

Our current system creates reverse incentives. It rewards failure and punishes success. If you are not working and have no income government gives you free medical care via Medicaid and food stamps as well. On the other hand if you work hard to achieve success government punishes you by taxing the hell out of you and you cannot get medicaid or food stamps either.

Also, at a time when perhaps people should be thinking about having smaller families, government rewards you for having bigger families by giving exemptions for dependents.

A truly flat tax system would tax every dollar of income from the first to the last at the same rate. It would largely eliminate the need for filing taxes. The amount withheld from your paycheck would be the exact amount you owe on your wages. Similarly taxes on dividends and interest could be withheld by the payor, so there would be no need to file. The only hiccup would be capital gains which would still be a pain in the neck. I would prefer not taxing capital gains.

[© tweed]

Wow.  I figured the poorhaters would pull at least 50% here.

Good work, gentlemen!

[MaC]

Flat tax-at 0%

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Wow.  I figured the poorhaters would pull at least 50% here.

Good work, gentlemen!

They must be doing something else today.

[David S]

Flat tax-at 0%

What was I thinking?  Of course you are right!!!

[Bacon King]

Ideally, the less taxes there are, the better the tax system is. However, to be pragmatic, taxes are a necessity in the modern world. There should be a moderately small tax rate- not so large as to be oppressive, and not so small that the government must resort to deficit spending just to fund essential programs. The tax system should also be progressive- otherwise, undue burden would be placed on the poor.

What would be an interesting tax system to try out would be Niel Boortz's FairTax- although since, to my knowledge, no similar tax system has been tryed before, the FairTax plan may have some unintended adverse effects on the economy.

And speaking of poor haters- I'm back to my yellow avatar.

[nini2287]

I'd say for now keep it as is and have the government start to move towards privitzation and reducing the deficit.  After we eliminate the deficit and generate a suprlus, then we can look to cut income taxes, eventually down to 0% for everyone.

[Emsworth]

Whether a tax is progressive or flat is less important than whether it is high or low. A low, mildly progressive tax is certainly acceptable (though not preferable).

[Speed of Sound]

I say flat tax. Everyone pays the same rate, but the rich still pay more.

Im so smart. lol