Ok here is my answer. I am going to equate life styles to automobiles, as in
a frugal lifestyle is perhaps a Chevy, and a wealthy life style is a
Mercedes. I ask you which has the higher profit margine, and why? I contend
that our lifestyle is a type of purchase from our society, and the higher
quality should generate a higher profit margine from those who make it
available to us. A Mercedes E class has a higher profit margin than a Chevy
Cavilier, why, because it has more value to the purchaser. If those of us
who claim to be wealthy have a better quality of life, reletive to
ourselves, we should be happy to pay for that quality of life. That payment
is what gives it it's exclusivity, and makes it desireable to the holder. As
our government is the designer and enforcer of the slcial fabric of these
United States, it is the body to which we should gladly pay the debt our
lifestyle creates. If I have a Mercedes lifestyle, I will gladly pay for it.
This is not to say I am displeased with the taxes I pay, I would like a bit
more return in service, but the amount doesn't bother me.
"Simple Simon" wrote in message
...
Imagine YOU are wealthy and then ask yourself that
question. Answer honestly.

S.Simon


"The Carrolls" wrote in message
...
So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

The Carrolls wrote:
So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

Why? My Yearly income tax bill, exceeds the national median income.
Are you saying that because I went to school for most of my life, got
into an industry that has to pay well to keep me, worked my butt off and
continue to do so, pay top dollar for various insurance and licenses, am
not eligible for most government assistance programs due to my income,
receive no special treatment for day to day benefits of living in this
country, that I should pay a greater percentage of my salary for this
"privilege"?
BULLCHIT!!!!!!
Modified Flat Tax....Below a national median poverty level ....no tax;
poverty level to the median income level .... half tax; median income
level and above, 10% tax on gross CASH INCOME. EG let the games begin !

otn

The data I provided showed that's about what we have, except that it plateaus,
for the top 50% at 23% +/-.



"otnmbrd" wrote in message
k.net...


The Carrolls wrote:
So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

Why? My Yearly income tax bill, exceeds the national median income.
Are you saying that because I went to school for most of my life, got
into an industry that has to pay well to keep me, worked my butt off and
continue to do so, pay top dollar for various insurance and licenses, am
not eligible for most government assistance programs due to my income,
receive no special treatment for day to day benefits of living in this
country, that I should pay a greater percentage of my salary for this
"privilege"?
BULLCHIT!!!!!!
Modified Flat Tax....Below a national median poverty level ....no tax;
poverty level to the median income level .... half tax; median income
level and above, 10% tax on gross CASH INCOME. EG let the games begin !

otn

Read my post to Simple Simon. You get what you pay for. Live better pay more
than living poorly. I bet you live better than the national median. Why did
you use median any way, why not average? Only to skew your facts I think.
You pay insurance to protect your self, not me, you could be self insured.
Unless you are speaking of government insurance a program you mostlikely are
glad to have. Your licenses keep any joker from moving into your field
diluting the skills base, insuring lesser competition to you. Also you are
saying you worked harder than anyone who makes less than you? Were you
luckier than them, or better or privledged? Certianly there are government
programs you take advantage of, Highways, ADC keeps some poor slob from
becoming a thief and stealing your chit, the school you attended, law
enforcement that allowes you to conduct commerce in a civil environment. I
could go on, but am choosing to save ammunition for a rebuttal.
"otnmbrd" wrote in message
k.net...


The Carrolls wrote:
So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

Why? My Yearly income tax bill, exceeds the national median income.
Are you saying that because I went to school for most of my life, got
into an industry that has to pay well to keep me, worked my butt off and
continue to do so, pay top dollar for various insurance and licenses, am
not eligible for most government assistance programs due to my income,
receive no special treatment for day to day benefits of living in this
country, that I should pay a greater percentage of my salary for this
"privilege"?
BULLCHIT!!!!!!
Modified Flat Tax....Below a national median poverty level ....no tax;
poverty level to the median income level .... half tax; median income
level and above, 10% tax on gross CASH INCOME. EG let the games begin !

otn

Just to be fair, I do like most of what I have read about a flat tax.
"otnmbrd" wrote in message
k.net...


The Carrolls wrote:
So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

Why? My Yearly income tax bill, exceeds the national median income.
Are you saying that because I went to school for most of my life, got
into an industry that has to pay well to keep me, worked my butt off and
continue to do so, pay top dollar for various insurance and licenses, am
not eligible for most government assistance programs due to my income,
receive no special treatment for day to day benefits of living in this
country, that I should pay a greater percentage of my salary for this
"privilege"?
BULLCHIT!!!!!!
Modified Flat Tax....Below a national median poverty level ....no tax;
poverty level to the median income level .... half tax; median income
level and above, 10% tax on gross CASH INCOME. EG let the games begin !

otn

On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 19:40:25 -0500, "The Carrolls"
wrote this crap:

So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

No. Why should anyone pay a larger percentage?

BTW, when I walk into Hooters for lunch, I pay the same as anyone
else. they don't charge me more or less because of what I earn. Why
should taxes be any different? When I go shopping, nobody makes me
fill out a form based on my income, to determine what I should pay.
I'm charged the same as everyone else.

In fact, if they did charge me more, I would do my shopping in another
country.




This signature is now the ultimate power in the universe

No you are correct, but if I go to Mac Donalds, do I pay more or less profit
margin to the store owner than you do at Hooters? I can choose to pay more
and go to Hooters, but perhaps I don't need or desire the quality, a choice
you too can make. By the way depending on your income, I will bet you pay a
much smaller percentage of your income than some people who partake at
Hooters. If you wish to pay less taxes, you can. Just choose a lifestyle
that generates less taxable income, why you could get to a level that pays
NO tax if you tried hard enough. As my dear old departed Dad used to say,
"It takes money to buy whiskey, more money for better whiskey."
"Horvath" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 19:40:25 -0500, "The Carrolls"
wrote this crap:

So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

No. Why should anyone pay a larger percentage?

BTW, when I walk into Hooters for lunch, I pay the same as anyone
else. they don't charge me more or less because of what I earn. Why
should taxes be any different? When I go shopping, nobody makes me
fill out a form based on my income, to determine what I should pay.
I'm charged the same as everyone else.

In fact, if they did charge me more, I would do my shopping in another
country.




This signature is now the ultimate power in the universe

If you were a waitress at Hooters (fat chance) and served the same meal to
1) a very wealthy man, 2) a slob in a t-shirt, wouldn't you expect more of a
tip from the 'rich guy'?

SV


"Horvath" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 19:40:25 -0500, "The Carrolls"
wrote this crap:

So shouldn"t the wealthy pay a larger percentage?

No. Why should anyone pay a larger percentage?

BTW, when I walk into Hooters for lunch, I pay the same as anyone
else. they don't charge me more or less because of what I earn. Why
should taxes be any different? When I go shopping, nobody makes me
fill out a form based on my income, to determine what I should pay.
I'm charged the same as everyone else.

In fact, if they did charge me more, I would do my shopping in another
country.




This signature is now the ultimate power in the universe

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
So where did I post any false information? In fact, many of you numbers
are the
same as what I posted. I agree whole heartedly, that the lowest half pay
very
little. BTW, this group includes retirees and, I believe, children, as
well as
lots of poor folk. It probably also includes Neal.

There used to be a saying "No taxation without representation."

Isn't it about time that the reverse was also true? People who don't pay
tax shouldn't have a vote.



Regards


Donal
--

Can we get back to sailing threads? This is a sailing group after all, I think. Correct me if I am wrong.