In the meantime, the Federal government continues to increase the amount it spends on everything and everyone. It spends so much that it would be impossible to pay for it with a head tax - everyone paying the same - or even everyone paying the same percentage, so true "fairness" is out of the question. As Reaganites have been saying for 25+ years, It's the spending, stupid! and yet, even with Republicans in power spending goes up,up, up. We all know that candidates are buying votes with the combination of tax cuts and gov't bennies and yet, we do not see that cutting taxes for more and more citizens increases the value of those bennies.
A little while ago, Instapundit posted this:
Personally, I'd like to see everyone pay at least some income tax, and I'd like to see the amount of tax paid, by everyone, go up or down every year in tandem with federal spending. That would encourage fiscal discipline directly. It would also make it harder for politicians to promise everybody a free lunch, but hey -- why shouldn't they sacrifice something, too?
What does increased gov't spending matter to someone who pays no income tax? Nothing. How about to the many middle class Americans who pay a few thousand? Not very much, especially since it is paid in bits through withholding and they might "get something back" after they file.
I like Instapundit's idea - especially if it is combined with abolishing withholding. Every head of household should have to write the check and send it in; preferably on Election Day ( another great Instapundit idea) . Link taxes directly to spending. Make everyone question how the gov't spends their money.
4 comments:
I like the idea of everyone paying taxes except those on welfare, and they should not vote. No representation without taxation. If your child is completely dependent on you then you set the rules in your house. Same principle.
Just as congress should have to live by the rules they impose on us, no one should be able to vote on benefits who does not pay for them.
Actually I would prefer no income tax at all. I think it is slavery. The government should charge fees for service or tariffs. These would be self limiting as setting the rate too high would mean less people paying.
If there must be income tax it should be a fixed percentage for all. The tax code should fit on a 3X5 card. The lower income level should be the point you go on welfare and lose the franchise. A person could opt out of welfare and still pay the tax if they want to vote.
I accept the idea that those on welfare should lose their right to vote but I think it would work better if even they paid and voted. Paying taxes and voting are both community building activities; adult actions. Adult behavior is as worthy of support as "fairness" is.
I think it was Alexis de Tocqueville that said democracy would work until people realized they could vote themselves largess from the public treasury. I think that principle applies. If you live off the state, you don't vote. If they pay out of their welfare it becomes a meaningless gesture, like someone giving a lawyer 60% because they have nothing to lose. There welfare would just be increased to compensate for the tax. If they don't vote, they have no vote to buy.
People getting government checks of various kinds are becoming our new Praetorian guards.
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