taxes

[FAST1]

http://www.scaryjohnkerry.com/taxes.htm

Have a nice day!

[jayboz]

http://www.scaryjohnkerry.com/taxes.htm

Have a nice day!
Nice one! :happy64:

[Jen39503]

Wowser, I just sent that out to my address book.
IMHO, war and service records ARE important areas of a politicians character, BUT bottom line for me is my checkbook.
God help us if Kerry gets in there.

[FAST1]

It made a nice point. I'm glad you liked it. I just don't feel like slugging it out over some of the current subjects that have been touched on.

God speed!

[RogerL]

You know what I really think would make the most sense for America? Elimating the income tax, and switching over to a European style Value Added Tax system on all goods sold.

That would eliminate all of this stupid class warfare B.S. from both sides, and offer a truly fair and equitable system of making sure that taxes are paid equally.. its either that, or a flat tax.

Otherwise, it doesn't really matter if you cut taxes or not, one or more groups are going to be unhappy with the tax changes.I may actually come close to agreeing with you. /me looks for the nearest flying pig. :)

VATs have an attractive side to them as you put it, such as eliminating the possibility of class warfare. The biggest drawback is that the tax is imposed at each step in the production of a good and therefore becomes a tax hidden from the consumers. It's quite difficult to tell how much of a good really is taxed and what isn't. To give the government the ability to hide a tax increase makes me nervous.

A national sales tax makes sense in a lot of respects and solves the problem of the hidden tax. There are drawbacks to this system as well, such as how to make essentials such as food and other staples tax-free to overcome the regressive characteristics of a sales tax. California and Canada both went through snack tax hell where nobody could tell for a long time what was taxable and what wasn't. Was it a snack or was it a prepared food, for example? Hastert wanted to give a credit up-front for the sales tax to address the regressive nature, but the problem with that would be that you'd need a federal entity such as the IRS to figure out who would get this credit and how much. I'd fear having to file a sales tax form on April 15.

The biggest problem with a sales tax/VAT would be that the 16'th Amendment still exists. Without repealing that amendment, eventually we would have an income tax AND a sales tax once politicians got greedy enough. I would support one of those if the amendment were repealed.

My favorite is the flat tax with only personal exemptions to deal with problems of affordability for essentials. Steve Forbes had an excellent proposal, recommending a 17% flat rate on all income with a $10,000 personal exemption for each person. So a family of four would not have to pay any income tax on the first $40,000 of income. No other deductions would be permitted. Not only would this be fair, but the politicians would no longer have the ability to grant favors or punish people through the tax system. That would put a lot of lobbyists out of work. :)

Another key rule would be to abolish withholding. Right now, most people have no clue how much they really pay in income taxes. All they know is what they take home. If a person had to write a check out to the IRS each month, I'm sure there would be a tax rebellion in short order under the current tax system.

[FAST1]

I could go for a national sales tax. Honestly, I would be happy seeing the capitol gains tax held at 15%. I seem to have found something we are on the same sheet of music about(besides dinar).

[jethrobodine]

:happy26: i agree with the flat-tax for the entire country..and for a flat capital-gains tax as well..i believe if ENOUGH PEOPLE get together(the key) then change can come, but like all else with such a giant thang as the fed-govt., it will take time and persistence..example: i spent a hour on the phone the other day finding out about the WAR-ZONE TAX STATUS FOR CIVILLIANS OVERSEAS and was treated with respect and kindness by the three folks i ended-up speaking with and got ALL THE ANSWERS!! i believe this stemmed from all the IRS bashing?complaints (legitimate) coming thru the end of the 70's all the way thru the beginning of the 90's..but, the question remains--will enough people have the patience and stamina to mold the changes necessary? the govt's believe not enough will holler for very long!! :happy64: :wave: