Money is odd

[beckon]

Whether I've been fortunate or not has always been a matter of perspective. I can say, that I have been both on welfare and I have ascended the ladder to the point where I was in the top 10% of money earners in the US and then fell back again

Comments

[beckon]

The new job is still awesome :) Respect from my peers, a company where I don't feel different or slighted in, I couldn't be happier. It's my home life where the stress occurs :/

[smjayman]

So as long as somebody won't notice, it is OK to take something from them? That's my objection to taxes in general...

[beckon]

First some groundwork to understand positions.

1. I believe a government is necessary for a successful society. We may disagree on what exactly they should do. My list is defense(military), emergency support(police,fireman, hospitals, etc.), infrastructure (roads, communications), justice, and regulation. I'd be surprised if we had the same, but I'm sure there's overlap.

2. Any form of government can't function without a source of income, for capitalistic countries that's a tax. Doesn't necessarily mean income taxes. It could be sales, death, luxury... whatever, but money needs to come in from the general population.

3. Since taxes need to be collected it makes sense, to me at least, that the taxes come from those who have the income to afford it.

I guess I object to the word "take." If you are a member of society, you have a legal, moral, and ethical responsibility to contribute to the upkeep of that society. You just don't get to reap the rewards and then say "oh I don't want to play" when it comes to pay your share.

[smjayman]

I agree with everything you have said, except for punishing success with additional taxation. All taxation is taking, make no mistake. Increasing taxation reduces productivity and causes unintended consequences. Do we need government? Yes. Do we need to continue trillions of dollars in deficit spending while debasing our currency while upping tax rates? I would say no, but it seems the majority disagrees with me.

[legendary_zelda]

Hey, it's Fiona. How are things?

[beckon]

Life has it's ups. I have children now, so I hardly sleep and I'm cranky a lot :) but other than that I'm alright.

[chantel]

It's good to see you again

[beckon]

and it's good to see you :) I've missed blogging.