I Want A Flat TAX of $365 per Year

[auditor0007]

I don't fear that to much because most people I have ever talked to don't really care what other people pay in taxes whether they are more or less but even at a flat 20% the rich would be paying more since they make more. I hope that makes sense to you but sadly I suspect it won't.

Actually, since we're all worried about the deficit any everything, and everyone else wants programs cut that don't effect them, the fact that "the rich pay more because they make more" is completely irrelevant.

Since you brought up "making sense," let's make a little sense here, shall we.

You said that every American above the age of 18 should pay a tax of $1 a day. For simplicity's sake, let's say "every American" period pays $1 a day in tax. And let's do a little math.

$365 per year X 310,000,000 Americans equals $113,500,000,000.

The defense budget in 2009 was $551,105,000,000.

http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/defbudget/fy2009/fy2009_summary_tables_whole.pdf

So, in your completely realistic world, if we fired every single judge, every single government employee, shut down social security, medicare, and every single social program, did not spend a single dime more on roads, and shut down every other aspect of government, we would still have to gut the military's budget by 80%.

I'm sure that completely "makes sense."

There is always the effect of collecting more than with a percentage because its an easier tax to collect and figure for every person so there is usually more compliance with the tax code because of that. There is also other taxes that we collect that may offset the balance and perhaps we can make it $3 a day or something. I just kind of threw out the number as a figure and I'm quite content with shutting down a lot of the federal government to get a lower tax on the Americans.

I'm OK with cutting the defense budget because I don't see the point of having military bases all over the world especially when they are left overs from old wars that no one cares about anymore.

This I can agree with. There is no reason for the US to have military bases all over the world that we pay for. If other countries want us to keep those bases open, then let them foot the bill, at least a majority percentage. If not, shut them down and let them worry about their own defenses.

 

[Charles Stucker]

So, in your completely realistic world, if we fired every single judge, every single government employee, shut down social security, medicare, and every single social program, did not spend a single dime more on roads, and shut down every other aspect of government, we would still have to gut the military's budget by 80%.

I'm sure that completely "makes sense."

All we have to do is defend borders with peaceful neighbors or a really huge moat. The fist is a non-issue, and the second trivially easy as long as enough citizens carry guns to make invaders fear guerrilla actions.
Oh wait we don't want private gun ownership, forgot about that. So long bill, you were a good friend while you lasted.

 

[edthecynic]

Its time for a low federal flat tax that everyone can afford to pay such as $365 a year per citizen over the age of 18. That is one dollar a day per citizen so everyone should be able to afford it.

Don't give me this crag that the government can't afford it because the government can't afford to qaudruple the deficit either but they still do it so I figure if we are going to do deficit spending we might as well do it by reducing taxes instead of spending more money.

That is what I want and I don't give a rats but about the government's problems either because ain't they the ones writing the budget that creates the problem in the first place?

So you are a SOCIALIST!!!
You believe in socialized taxes.

 

[Polk]

i like that idea even better, lets up it to 20k.

I mean seriously 20,000/50 (i know there are 52 weeks) is $400/week in income.

After that you pay 20% of all income to the feds. No deductions


Man thats way too simple and makes way too much sense, there isn't enough red-tape, wasted time and money, or govt beurocracy with this kind of setup, washington will never go for it.

Do you really mean all income?

Yes, all income including capital gains and inheritance.

I imagined you did, but does he?

 

[ihopehefails]

Do you really mean all income?

Yes, all income including capital gains and inheritance.

I imagined you did, but does he?

Were you talking to me? If so, I just meant income taxes but still have cap gains and other existing taxes the same because a flat income tax by itself would not cover the government's expenses.

 

[Polk]

I was asking Plymco, but of course you're free to give your take (and I see you did). The argument I'd make, and I imagine auditor would also (though he is free to correct me if I'm wrong on this), is that there is an inheritance unfair between treating income differently based on source.