Here is a good example why raising taxes on the rich won't work

[Mormon Red Death]

Let's say, hypothetically, that we had a totally flat tax. Let's say your income was taxed at a 10% rate. Let's say person A earns $30,000 a year, while person B earns $30,000,000. Person A will pay $3,000 in taxes, and Person B, $3,000,000.

That's all well and good, but the truth of the matter is, Person A will miss that $3,000 a lot more than Person B will miss that $3,000,000. Even if the tax rate were, numerically speaking, identical, the tax burden would fall much harder on Person A than Person B.

The ethical argument for a progressive tax is that the way to measure the impact of the tax burden is not necessarily the rate at which you pay taxes.

That's not to say that a very steep progressive tax is necessarily the way to go, either. I like Utah's system, personally. Utah has a nominally "flat" tax, but offers tax credits to tax brackets of lower income. The result is a system that you might as well call progressive, but tries to tax at lower rates across broad groups.

Because the tax burden is harder for someone who makes less that makes it ethical?

Look a flat tax is fair plain and simple. Progessive tax systems are for politicians to get votes from poor voters.

"Elect me and we will get those rich bastards by making them pay more than you do."

[Mormon Red Death]

Good point. Especially since we live in a nation where the rich have basically zero impact on politics, and therefore have no say in who pays what tax.

Good point...especially since we live in a nation where everyone rich or poor has the same vote. Therefore they have say in who pays that tax.

[Indy Coug]

Btw.. who gives a shit if people hold her in low regard universally. In fact that would put her in pretty good company.

She would stand side-by-side with SU.

[I.J. Reilly]

Is it ethical to force the rich to help the poor? If a rich man doesn't believe int he new testament should he be forced to give?

Ethics in this country are kind of majority rule. I think most in the country would subscribe to the, "help the poor, do unto others, etc.,". Those that are more able to help should contribute more. The question is how much. If you don't like it, leave it

[Mormon Red Death]

Ethics in this country are kind of majority rule. I think most in the country would subscribe to the, "help the poor, do unto others, etc.,". Those that are more able to help should contribute more. The question is how much. If you don't like it, leave it

Hey this is still the greatest country in the world.

[All-American]

Good point...especially since we live in a nation where everyone rich or poor has the same vote. Therefore they have say in who pays that tax.

Yes, both rich and poor have a say in who pays that tax. I assume you do not want to argue that the wealthy do not have a disproportionate impact on politics, correct?

I will grant you this: when 51% rules over 49%, no matter how you distinguish the two camps, it is a scary thing.

[All-American]

Because the tax burden is harder for someone who makes less that makes it ethical?

Look a flat tax is fair plain and simple. Progessive tax systems are for politicians to get votes from poor voters.

"Elect me and we will get those rich bastards by making them pay more than you do."

I believe it is ethical to treat all equally. It is ethical to grant equal rights to all, and it is ethical to place an equal tax burden upon all. I simply believe that a flat tax rate rate would result in a tax burden that would be much heavier for the poor than the rich.

[beelzebabette]

I believe it is ethical to treat all equally. It is ethical to grant equal rights to all, and it is ethical to place an equal tax burden upon all. I simply believe that a flat tax rate rate would result in a tax burden that would be much heavier for the poor than the rich.

At the same time, doesn't that beg the comparison of the Earned Income Credit's effects on low wage earners to those of a high incremental tax rate on the wealthy?

[All-American]

At the same time, doesn't that beg the comparison of the Earned Income Credit's effects on low wage earners to those of a high incremental tax rate on the wealthy?

Sure. Why not? I don't believe in placing an unequal tax burden upon the rich any more than I do the poor.

You figure out how to make the tax burden truly equal, and not simply numerically equal (because I don't believe the two are the same), and I'll give you a dollar.

[beelzebabette]

You figure out how to make the tax burden truly equal, and not simply numerically equal (because I don't believe the two are the same), and I'll give you a dollar.

I'd argue we stay a relative equilibrium all the time. If it were really unfair at the low end or had a dramatic impact on reinvestment at the high end, politicians who know the economy drives their reelection chances would do something about it quickly.

All this talk about reforming the tax code is mere talk, in my opinion.

[All-American]

I'd argue we stay a relative equilibrium all the time. If it were really unfair at the low end or had a dramatic impact on reinvestment at the high end, politicians who know the economy drives their reelection chances would do something about it quickly.

All this talk about reforming the tax code is mere talk, in my opinion.

So I keep my dollar, then. Fair enough.

[beelzebabette]

So I keep my dollar, then. Fair enough.

I never claimed to be smart, just mouthy.

[Mormon Red Death]

I never claimed to be smart, just mouthy.

I have only claimed to be in my right mind.

[KillerDog]

Who cares if the wealthy leave? Let them go. We'll learn to do more with less, and they will have a longer commute over crappier roads.

Good plan. Let me know how that works out for you.

[All-American]

Good plan. Let me know how that works out for you.

He lives in California, does he not? I think we know exactly how well it is working out for them.