Someone explain it to me

[txrdkng]

I know this could be touchy I just hope it can stay civil. I try to take a fair and balanced approach to things, listen to both sides of an issue and form an opinion based on what I can discern out of the facts.

There is another article in today's paper regarding raising taxes. This one is focused on "the rich". I can't for the life of me understand this and have not heard an explanation that makes sense. Why would a society tax people disproportionately based on how much they make? It appears to me that the person making less money uses the same roads, enjoys the same level of protection from law enforcement and firefighters, is kept just as safe due to the brave actions of our soldiers, etc.

So what is the logic behind telling people who make more money that they should pay more? I understand (and support) people across all economic classes paying the same percentage of taxes. So if a tax rate is 30% a person making $40K/yr. pays $12K and the person making $4M/yr. pays $1.2M! Seems to me that the person making the $4M is certainly doing his/her share.

We are in a heckuva fiscal mess right now. We spend more that we take in. The problem needs to be solved. But why focus on just one economic class?

In no way do I consider myself "rich" but I do have a target on my back for my taxes being raised. I donate to 5 charitable organizations through payroll deductions. On top of that I donate as much as I can in a variety of situations...firefighters at the intersection, folks in front of the grocery store raising money to send troops gift packages, kids raising money for their organizations, the church... I pay my taxes without using loopholes. Someone please explain why I should pay even more of the money I earned when somebody who makes less isn't also being tapped on the shoulder?

[Geezy Rider]

Welcome to socialism 101.

To each according to thier need,
From each according to their ability.*

It is the foundation of this administration.

[RdRdrFan]

I agree with you. There are better solutions.

If it weren't for the initial economic implications I'd be 110% behind getting rid of income tax completely in favor of a consumption tax. Give me a tax that is paid by EVERYONE!!! The "rich" will still pay more because they buy more. It would eliminate the ability certain folks have to avoid paying taxes. You spend money, you pay taxes.

[Mudslinger]

Socialism at it's finest. Look at the charts that show how much of our taxes the "rich" already pay. The biggest problem is the # of people that do not pay taxes and receive government welfare. Wealth distribution and equality (socialism) is what this admin. wants.

There is nothing fair about any of our tax codes. Either a flat tax or abolishing the IRS and adding a national sales tax so the more you spend, the more you pay in taxes. Think of it this way, what could you do with the money you pay the IRS every year? If that is put back in your pocket when the IRS and taxes are abolished and you only pay if you spend it, which 99% will, then everyone pays their fair share.

[jpbruni]

Consumption tax is the only way to fix this mess. When that happens, EVERYONE will pay their fair share, plus you eliminate 90% of the expense of the IRS and drug dealers, illegal aliens and tax evaders will now all pay their taxes

No more loopholes and no more shelters. It's almost 2013! Our tax code is a freaking antique! Get rid of it!

J.P.

[Daniel75]

[ATTACH]432407[/ATTACH]

[ShaBow]

Consumption tax is the only way to fix this mess. When that happens, EVERYONE will pay their fair share, plus you eliminate 90% of the expense of the IRS and drug dealers, illegal aliens and tax evaders will now all pay their taxes

No more loopholes and no more shelters. It's almost 2013! Our tax code is a freaking antique! Get rid of it!

J.P.

x2!

[de3006]

I am not rich by any means. And agree with u in every way
If the rich r being overtaxed and r not making there money
I am not making money. Afterall if we r not rich we are probably
Working for the rich.

[BBReezen]

It's just another way our government is trying to get people to squat on their hind end instead of working hard to be successful. If your gonna be successful and mke lot of money, your gonn have to pay for it. It's basically just like the "every kid gets a trophy" concept. Everyone has to be equal, no matter what kind of effort you give. Plus the rich people are the only ones who have any money left over since since the govt blew all their money and the middle class is broke from the high gas and food prices.

[Texbow]

AMEN. I could type 10 pages on this issue. Not everyone that has a healthy bank account was born with it. Hard work for many years brings success to some. All I know is that the harder I'm hit the more it's going to hurt someone down the line. One or two less employees, less charity contributions etc. I might feel different if MY tax dollars where being spent wisely. Folks need to go back and read the kid story of the Goose That Laid The Golden Egg.

I know this could be touchy I just hope it can stay civil. I try to take a fair and balanced approach to things, listen to both sides of an issue and form an opinion based on what I can discern out of the facts.

There is another article in today's paper regarding raising taxes. This one is focused on "the rich". I can't for the life of me understand this and have not heard an explanation that makes sense. Why would a society tax people disproportionately based on how much they make? It appears to me that the person making less money uses the same roads, enjoys the same level of protection from law enforcement and firefighters, is kept just as safe due to the brave actions of our soldiers, etc.

So what is the logic behind telling people who make more money that they should pay more? I understand (and support) people across all economic classes paying the same percentage of taxes. So if a tax rate is 30% a person making $40K/yr. pays $12K and the person making $4M/yr. pays $1.2M! Seems to me that the person making the $4M is certainly doing his/her share.

We are in a heckuva fiscal mess right now. We spend more that we take in. The problem needs to be solved. But why focus on just one economic class?

In no way do I consider myself "rich" but I do have a target on my back for my taxes being raised. I donate to 5 charitable organizations through payroll deductions. On top of that I donate as much as I can in a variety of situations...firefighters at the intersection, folks in front of the grocery store raising money to send troops gift packages, kids raising money for their organizations, the church... I pay my taxes without using loopholes. Someone please explain why I should pay even more of the money I earned when somebody who makes less isn't also being tapped on the shoulder?

[ted_kennedys_liver]

These responses are absurd - the common sense that you all make has no place in government

it truly is a sad state of affairs we are in right now and optimism that things will change for the better sure is a hard thing to get these days. Sucks that hope for change can only come in four year increments.

I know if I busted my rear to become a millionaire dang if I would want to pay more in taxes. What I really do not like is people who are millionaires (republican or democrat) through old family money that dictate what should happen to others when they have no real appreciation of how hard of work it took to get those millions. If you have just had money all you're life then paying more in taxes really doesn't mean that much to them compared to others who sacrificed everything. I just wish we could have politicians that Al pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and rely can relate to middle class and those temporarily in lower class due to unforeseeable circumstances. Just my two cents.

[dadogg]

For years when I was growing up I was told work hard, and you will succeed. Somewhere we have lost that when being successfull is frowned upon or treated unfairly.

How do you teach a generation to work just enough to stay under the tax limit

[Horitexan]

I wish someone could give me a good explanation for that way of thinking. Seems to me, as a simple ranch worker, that it's just a jealousy thing - a way to 'take' from people who have been fortunate because you're jealous that you aren't. Since there are more people that DON'T fit into the "fortunate" category, than do, it's easy to get them on-board for "taking" from others. It's a big shell game that's meant to appease us 'have-nots" and distract us from the REAL problems. Kicking the can down the road.

Unfortunately, every road always has an end.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.231704,-99.421312

[kfd82]

Step into your "way back machine"

The government needed money to operate so they started an income tax.
Everyone was taxed a % based on what they made.

Logic says that if you make 1000 dollars a year and pay 100 in taxes you can still survive.
So if someone makes 3000 a year they can pay 1000 in taxes and still live twice as good as the first guy. (900 a year after taxes vs. 2000)

That thinking has multiplied hundreds of times over the years until we got to where we are today.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just answering the question that was asked in the OP.

[GarGuy]

I can explainm this way of thinking to you PLAIN AND CLEAR! Over 50 percent of our society now pay NO taxes. Those folks will READILY vote for whomever says they will keep it that way and make someone else pay their way.

Im all for everyone paying their fair share. Get rid of the IRS and the billions we wasted doing audits and tax prosecutions. Put in an 11 percent consumption tax and we will have a surplus. Everyone will pay their fair share then.

I wish someone could give me a good explanation for that way of thinking. Seems to me, as a simple ranch worker, that it's just a jealousy thing - a way to 'take' from people who have been fortunate because you're jealous that you aren't. Since there are more people that DON'T fit into the "fortunate" category, than do, it's easy to get them on-board for "taking" from others. It's a big shell game that's meant to appease us 'have-nots" and distract us from the REAL problems. Kicking the can down the road.

Unfortunately, every road always has an end.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.231704,-99.421312