NationStates Jolt Archive

After seeing _Susa_'s absurdly simplistic poll, I decided to make a better one.

Assume that the public money is spent wisely. Also assume that, like in real life, a minority will abuse the system.

Also assume that, like in real life, a minority will abuse the system.

Wow, perjorative much? Seems to me the only minority abusing the tax system itself are the Ultra Rich White Guys.

I'd say we get a flat tax of around 20%, and eliminate the income tax for corporations, and those currently in low tax brackets. Move taxes to consumption, instead of income. It'd result in more spending power, and a more efficient economy.
As for the money that is collected, I personally favor spending it to maintain law enforcement, the courts, and the military. Some social programs, like Head Start and Medicaide/Medicare, should stay around, and perhaps a few can be expanded. However, most will be cut out. The biggest one I want to see gone is Social Security, although I'd be happy if we got rid of Amtrak.

19% percent for everyone who isn't rich. Anybody who is rich gets an %80 tax rate. Because they have way too much money anyway >_> People who earn less than $15,000 a year don't pay taxes.

After seeing _Susa_'s absurdly simplistic poll, I decided to make a better one.

Assume that the public money is spent wisely. Also assume that, like in real life, a minority will abuse the system.
Hey, dont be hatin'! JK, it was rather simplistic.

Actually, I preferred Susa's thread, for the reason that it allows for discussion of other means of taxation besides income tax.

(See my discussion in that thread of a national sales tax.)

You see, the trouble with putting a tax solely on consumption is that the rich tend to invest some of their money, whereas the poor are likely to spend much more, if not all of their income, on rent or mortgage, food, clothes, and sometimes just a feel-good purchase. Sales taxes tend to be regressive.

If you're gonna do a flat tax, you make it income tax. Everyone pays the same percentage that way.

No graduated income brackets?

Sparltopia, what you can do if the impact of a sales tax on the poor is a concern for you is to make certain essential items like food, clothing, and medicine non-taxable. States like New Jersey already do this for their state sales tax, and you could look at their current programs as models. Items not in the "essential" category, however, would remain taxed at a flat rate.

Assume that the public money is spent wisely.

How can you spend stolen money wisely?

How can you spend stolen money wisely?
It's quite easy. Bank robbers do it all the time dipshit.

Sparltopia, what you can do if the impact of a sales tax on the poor is a concern for you is to make certain essential items like food, clothing, and medicine non-taxable. States like New Jersey already do this for their state sales tax, and you could look at their current programs as models. Items not in the "essential" category, however, would remain taxed at a flat rate.


That certainly is an idea, but then, there would have to be substantial tax on the non-essential items to be able to cover government costs, or a tax in another area, such as income.

But hey, whatever. I was just throwin' my ideas out there.

I voted for 46% - 60% for all. If you tax the rich wildly highly, all the rich people leave the country. Countries like Sweden tax all their people highly, not just the rich. Together with wise public spending, the government provides useful services and economic safety nets.

I'd say we get a flat tax of around 20%, and eliminate the income tax for corporations, and those currently in low tax brackets. Move taxes to consumption, instead of income. It'd result in more spending power, and a more efficient economy.
As for the money that is collected, I personally favor spending it to maintain law enforcement, the courts, and the military. Some social programs, like Head Start and Medicaide/Medicare, should stay around, and perhaps a few can be expanded. However, most will be cut out. The biggest one I want to see gone is Social Security, although I'd be happy if we got rid of Amtrak.
I agree to every letter you uttered.

I am surprised. Considering the typical left leaning nature of the forums, we have 80% of votes for flat tax 30% or lower. Or maybe a thread focusing on taxation and the linked issue about government size just does not draw the lefties' attention?

I am surprised. Considering the typical left leaning nature of the forums, we have 80% of votes for flat tax 30% or lower. Or maybe a thread focusing on taxation and the linked issue about government size just does not draw the lefties' attention?
Or maybe there were no options for a progressive tax...

Please define "rich." Are we talking about people who earn $100,000 or $1,000,000+ per year?

That certainly is an idea, but then, there would have to be substantial tax on the non-essential items to be able to cover government costs, or a tax in another area, such as income.

But hey, whatever. I was just throwin' my ideas out there.

Yeah, probably so...but there are still a lot of non-essential items to be taxed. Even my books and CDs (my biggest vice) would certainly fall under the "taxable" category. Not very expensive items (well...you could argue about CDs...but I mean in comparison to a 60-ft. yacht or something ;) ), but considering the volume of sales, you could still get a pretty penny from them.

BTW, I wasn't bashing you at all, just trying to address your concern in the best way I could come up with.

Sorry for the late reply, I just moved into campus, so I'm just now getting to this.

I didn't take it as a bashing, so no issues there. :D

19% percent for everyone who isn't rich. Anybody who is rich gets an %80 tax rate. Because they have way too much money anyway >_> People who earn less than $15,000 a year don't pay taxes.

Yes because people who are rich should be punished for it :rolleyes: This hurts capitalism because its counterproductive torwards the incentive of succeeding.

After seeing _Susa_'s absurdly simplistic poll, I decided to make a better one.

Assume that the public money is spent wisely. Also assume that, like in real life, a minority will abuse the system.
Taxation = theft.