"DSK" wrote in message
...
If all the people earning less than $30K per year earn 30% of the income
in the nation, then wouldn't it be fair if they paid 30% of the income
tax burden?
If the people earning over $200K per year have 50% of the nations
income, then they *should* pay more than 50% of the nation's income tax.
Wouldn't that be fair?
PocoLoco wrote:
If those making less than $30,000 paid 30% of their income, then those
making
$200,000 should pay 30% of their income. The first group would pay $9000,
and
the second would pay $60,000. What's not fair about that?
Now, go back and answer the questions in my other post.
I asked you first. Is the math too complex for you?
As for what's "not fair" about a flat tax, it's a matter of what you see
as "fair." I don't have a big problem with a flat tax, but it is
regressive... ie the less wealthy pay a higher share of overal tax
revenue, and it cuts into their livable income more (thus is bad for the
economy). I'd prefer a progressive tax, where the burden is
1- distributed more equitably
2- those who gain the most benefit pay more
Great idea! If you're on welfare...pay more. If you're on Medicare...pay
more. If you're on Social Security...pay more. If you live in a
crime-ridden area requiring a higher level of police protection...pay more.
If you ride public transit...pay more.
3- provides more revenue to the gov't relative to the impact on the
economy.
*Now* can you answer my question? What's not fair about a progressive tax
which distributes the income tax burden equitably across income brackets?
The progressive tax system that we currently use has the top 1% of wage
earners paying 32% of the taxes. The top 5% paying 50.1%. The top 10%
paying 63.5%. And the top 20% paying 78% of all income taxes.
So the "less wealthy" (as you like to call them) only pay 20% of the tax
burden. Is that equitable?
|