I would say that the REAL inequity is that some of those 49% who pay no taxes are richer than you or me. As for the poor paying no taxes, certainly there is some abuse in the system at all income levels, but personally I have no problem, for instance, with a widowed single mother making minimum wage at Burger King not paying any income taxes.
Sure, but there are many more who can "plug slot-A into tab-B" than can design widgets with slots and tabs. These people are worth more.
...as it should be.
But they're not paying for "working hard". They're paying to get a job done. One job was obviously worth more than the other, as it always is.
Again, how "hard" someone works is irrelevant. Again, I'm paid several times what a ditch digger is paid. He works a *lot* harder than do I. My end product is worth a lot more and there are a lot fewer people who can do my job.
Any change would have to be "gradual". Those that are paying no federal taxes would begin to pay federal taxes, small amounts that would increase over the years. Hopefully when they have to start paying the government and not milking the government they will look for the government to also be more responsible. There are exceptions but many abuse the system.
I could be completely off here but I really believe that many officials get elected over and over again because of the promises of what the government can do for the voters. I fell that one segment of voters are strictly looking for the elected to give hand outs.
EVENTUALLY quit giving hand outs and make every one contribute and I feel the government will improve. But then all governments are corrupt and always will be. Sigh!
Define "richer". If you mean money in the bank, well, we don't tax wealth (shh, don't tell BHO). We also don't tax income on certain municipal bonds, because holding them is deemed to be a good thing. If you want to tax them, fine, but understand that many more municipalities will go under as a result. These things have consequences.
I do. To be a full member of society, *everyone* should have skin in the game.
I'm with you here. One of the reasons the economy is still flat on its back is that there is too much change. Rapid change is bad.
Sure. Remember, after the last election, where people were being interviewed who thought they wouldn't have to pay their mortgages or buy gas anymore? "Obama will take care of me!"
Yes.
Which is the reason that they must be as small as possible, if not smaller. The only way damage can be minimized is if government doesn't have the power to damage.
05 Cavalier, turn the rotors and drums and new pads and shoes.
How wold you like me to answer that? ;~)
Ultimately I think every one should pay equally for services that they are getting. Like going to the store and buying a new TV or going to a base ball game, no discounts or price hikes for income level or personal wealth.
Previously I mentioned that this would have to take effect over a period of years, many years. It would be a direction to steer towards instead of the direction we are headed now. The government is not going to change its spending habits on it's own. It is going to take the full attention of all the citizens to get it to change. Our out of control government spending and rewards program for not producing is our economic problem. If every one is paying taxes every one will be interested in what the government does with those dollars. But when basically half of the voters pay no fed income taxes they think the government is going a good job.
It's the horrible truth. There will always be poor people and they will grow in numbers as long as we reward them for not being productive.
Here's just one who burst your whole bubble, Leon.
I think we both want the same thing but we haven't removed all of our masks and filters yet. DO research that little concept, please.
Ahem. The last bloody revolution did that nicely. I wonder if the gov't would give GE grants toward -that- goal, too...
Nix that grabbing concept, too. See below.
The "grabbing whatever the gov't will give me" concept is one of the largest trashers of our country.
And it is up to We The People to change that. Let's begin.
Too true. A dumb electorate is a manipulable electorate.
-- Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. -- Albert Einstein
Well,...
"Equality" means different things to different people. I'd prefer a flat (rate) income tax, likely because it's easier to understand (the ramifications of) than "The Fair Tax".
That gets more difficult for things like utilities and national defense. Would you care to see the Smithsonian Institution shut down because it couldn't "make it" based on the dollars it gets from admission? I'm just talking...I know where you are coming from (too).
So each pays $1/year to keep the SI's doors open. There is a point to libraries.
That's a totally different animal than replacing 4 rotors at $250+ a piece (OEM GM) of a latter day Malibu. Make some calls... a complete remake of the brake system GM Malibu vs Ford Fusion. GM is screwing us now...started after the bail out.
Add the possibility of donating community service for those that cannot afford to pay their taxes.
I have to ask, why replace everything. Do that on an 05 Cavaleir and you inflate the price to probably $800.
FWIW GM has always been screwing the consumers by turning out a marginal to bad product. Speaking from an ex service sales manager, parts department manager, multi franchise parts director, wholesale GM of AC Delco parts distributor point of view.
GM has had some especially stinkers, the Olds Aurora had composite disks that had to be replaced if slightly grooved or damaged, I suspect that they might be doing the same on late models again but if the rotors were in good shape there was no need to replace them during a routine brake job.
I am talking about equal, not a formula for equal. I pay a dollar you pay a dollar. As you mentioned Equality can include a formula to make your amount more or less than my amount. Government taxes should the same and affordable by every one. I think this would eventually be obtainable if every one had equal interest in how the government spends our money.
You raise the rates of admission. Run it like a business. Or let it be run by donations. When the government is involved with money issues nothing is efficient. I think it would be prudent to say that every aspect of government spending could be trimmed back with no loss in services if you cut the dead weight and have effecient management.
Interesting... Looking online for OEM parts front rotors for a 2009 Malibu is $67 each. Front rotors for a 2009 Fusion id $83.
NAPA wants $45 for the Chevy and $65 for the Ford.
That is interesting. I will get further info when I visit my friend in Toronto this weekend. I'm sure your numbers are correct and that would be one helluva good reason to do some cross-border shopping. Stay tuned.
"Raise the incomes at the lower end"???
Do you mean increase the minimum wage? Heck, many making the minimum wage aren't worth that much. Raising the minimum wage would result, mostly, in a spike in unemployment.
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