hard fist in a soft glove.jonathankaplanFebruary 24 2010, 19:34:12 UTC
All I can reply is, yep. And, could you leave your contact information with us, using this handy FBI notification reply card, just in case we need to contact you at a further date.
How exactly will the rich pay more? It won't come from consumption taxes like VAT and sales tax (what's the difference anyway?) I'm with you an gasoline taxes. They've brought Europe the 50 mpg car 30 years ago.
some soakin'jonathankaplanFebruary 24 2010, 19:41:21 UTC
There are technical distinctions between VAT and Sales taxes, we are going to have some of both to make sure everyone pays enough.
As to the Rich, I first envisioned an annual, tiny, wealth tax, but that would require less streamlining and probably cause the wealthy to leave. Instead, I foresee a combination of small progressive income tax for the rich, perhaps starting at 250K income and 1%, and increasing as the income increases. Additionally, the wealthy will pay some increased taxes on luxury transactions (Yacht sales, Large home sales, etc.). And we will find more. Cause the black hole in our current budget can only be paid off by long term skimming of the wealthy, or heads are going to roll. I want to avoid that catastrophe for America. Don't you worry, they are going to pay more. And the poor will avoid much tax completely (since food products will be exempted), if they adhere to the American Way. Thank you.
A VAT is paid at every step in the production process, whenever value is added to the product and the object transferred to another participant in the chain, whereas a sales tax is only paid at the retail point of sale.
VAT _and_ sales tax? How is that better than just having one or the other? Also, ditch the food exemption or you'll get a bunch of politicking about what qualifies as food.
I'd want to see specifics on "the wealthy will pay more". It's tricky to do so without breaking other things, especially if you confuse "wealthy" with "high earning during a year". Generally, if you want to encourage working, earning, saving, and investing, don't tax them at all. That includes encouraging these things in "the wealthy".
Most important: "We WILL balance the budget, and mainly by spending cuts". Without specifics, this is complete bullshit. Of the three biggest spending areas, social security, medicare, and defense, which are you going to gut?
Sales tax then. Easier collect, easier to understand. Fine, no food exemption, but then the tax will be too regressive for the People's Party perhaps. I want a chicken in every pot
( ... )
I'm not quite with you on "the wealthy", but you get my vote regardless of that :)
I ask for specifics, but really any move toward simplification is a good one. Simple will never pass, of course, as anything simple can't be gamed for the pork that wins elections.
A friend of mine recently pointed out a big practical problem with pushing for replacing income tax with a VAT or sales tax.
The problem is, it could more easily backfire than succeed. Let's say you get a huge campaign of people interested in your People's Party Platform. Let's say you get so many people, you actually get someone in the whitehouse (or, get control of congress, which would be even harder). But then, you've still got opposition parties to deal with. So you start compromising. Eventually, a bill gets passed, and it's kind of torwards what you were looking for, but not exactly everything. What's the most likely compromise bill that gets passed? Lower the income tax and impose a VAT and/or sales tax.
Now we've got two kinds of federal taxes, much like the European system. What happens over time naturally? Both go up. So in another decade, after the parties switch around a bit, the system you end up with has a high VAT tax *and* a high income tax again. Goodbye US system, hello European system.
You said, " Instead, I foresee a combination of small progressive income tax for the rich." Your benchmarks of income tells me that you're not doing that good(nobody would ever ask for a voluntary increase), and you're willing to stick it to the real producers. Sad day, indeed.
How about eliminating taxes except a VAT......why the hell am I even responding, as you're such a traitor.
I know what world you live in, but still 250K income IS rich to almost all Americans, it must be 5x the national average. The masses of the People's Party will understand, even if you feel itchy about it. Additionally, your comment that no one will voluntarily ask for an increase is wrong. If it is between increase of taxes or death of America, I'll take an increase. The US Bond market is a Ponzi Scheme now, it is only a matter of time, unless we take clear broad action. We are playing musical chairs with these huge imbalances, we better change that now
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And, could you leave your contact information with us, using this handy FBI notification reply card, just in case we need to contact you at a further date.
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As to the Rich, I first envisioned an annual, tiny, wealth tax, but that would require less streamlining and probably cause the wealthy to leave. Instead, I foresee a combination of small progressive income tax for the rich, perhaps starting at 250K income and 1%, and increasing as the income increases. Additionally, the wealthy will pay some increased taxes on luxury transactions (Yacht sales, Large home sales, etc.). And we will find more. Cause the black hole in our current budget can only be paid off by long term skimming of the wealthy, or heads are going to roll. I want to avoid that catastrophe for America.
Don't you worry, they are going to pay more. And the poor will avoid much tax completely (since food products will be exempted), if they adhere to the American Way.
Thank you.
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Reply
I'd want to see specifics on "the wealthy will pay more". It's tricky to do so without breaking other things, especially if you confuse "wealthy" with "high earning during a year". Generally, if you want to encourage working, earning, saving, and investing, don't tax them at all. That includes encouraging these things in "the wealthy".
Most important: "We WILL balance the budget, and mainly by spending cuts". Without specifics, this is complete bullshit. Of the three biggest spending areas, social security, medicare, and defense, which are you going to gut?
Reply
Reply
I ask for specifics, but really any move toward simplification is a good one. Simple will never pass, of course, as anything simple can't be gamed for the pork that wins elections.
Reply
The problem is, it could more easily backfire than succeed. Let's say you get a huge campaign of people interested in your People's Party Platform. Let's say you get so many people, you actually get someone in the whitehouse (or, get control of congress, which would be even harder). But then, you've still got opposition parties to deal with. So you start compromising. Eventually, a bill gets passed, and it's kind of torwards what you were looking for, but not exactly everything. What's the most likely compromise bill that gets passed? Lower the income tax and impose a VAT and/or sales tax.
Now we've got two kinds of federal taxes, much like the European system. What happens over time naturally? Both go up. So in another decade, after the parties switch around a bit, the system you end up with has a high VAT tax *and* a high income tax again. Goodbye US system, hello European system.
Reply
Reply
" Instead, I foresee a combination of small progressive income tax for the rich." Your benchmarks of income tells me that you're not doing that good(nobody would ever ask for a voluntary increase), and you're willing to stick it to the real producers. Sad day, indeed.
How about eliminating taxes except a VAT......why the hell am I even responding, as you're such a traitor.
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