Care to elaborate on this? Currently, the wealthiest Americans pay a MUCH MUCH higher % of the income tax burden than do moderate or low-income Americans. So by fairer, do you mean taxes should be lowered for the wealthy and raised on moderate and low income families in order to level the playing field?

 

In short, define "fairer system".:popcorn:

 

I'm not an economic genius, so I can't really answer what the "fairer" way would be. From my simple-minded perspective, there's no "equitable" way, but maybe a fairer way. I like the idea of a national sales tax to some degree. I would personally exempt food and medical expesnses. But other than that, I don't have any objections to paying an additional tax for things I personally choose to buy. Not only do I have the choice to buy them, I have the choice to buy the less expensive versions of items I purchase, thereby paying less tax on an item than someone who chooses to buy a more expensive version may pay. I would do away with personal income taxes altogether. As to corporate taxes, I wouldn't even know where to begin, except to say that I would make it less of a tax burden for coporations to do their business, manufacturing, distribution, etc, IN the US, versus outside of it. How that would be accomplished, I have no idea. I leave those things to all the financial geniuses of BGP.

I'm not an economic genius, so I can't really answer what the "fairer" way would be. From my simple-minded perspective, there's no "equitable" way, but maybe a fairer way. I like the idea of a national sales tax to some degree. I would personally exempt food and medical expesnses. But other than that, I don't have any objections to paying an additional tax for things I personally choose to buy. Not only do I have the choice to buy them, I have the choice to buy the less expensive versions of items I purchase, thereby paying less tax on an item than someone who chooses to buy a more expensive version may pay. I would do away with personal income taxes altogether. As to corporate taxes, I wouldn't even know where to begin, except to say that I would make it less of a tax burden for coporations to do their business, manufacturing, distribution, etc, IN the US, versus outside of it. How that would be accomplished, I have no idea. I leave those things to all the financial geniuses of BGP.

 

I certainly think you nailed that one! Your tax policy seems fair to me anyway.

I'm not an economic genius, so I can't really answer what the "fairer" way would be. From my simple-minded perspective, there's no "equitable" way, but maybe a fairer way. I like the idea of a national sales tax to some degree. I would personally exempt food and medical expesnses. But other than that, I don't have any objections to paying an additional tax for things I personally choose to buy. Not only do I have the choice to buy them, I have the choice to buy the less expensive versions of items I purchase, thereby paying less tax on an item than someone who chooses to buy a more expensive version may pay. I would do away with personal income taxes altogether. As to corporate taxes, I wouldn't even know where to begin, except to say that I would make it less of a tax burden for coporations to do their business, manufacturing, distribution, etc, IN the US, versus outside of it. How that would be accomplished, I have no idea. I leave those things to all the financial geniuses of BGP.

 

I could get on board with this.

 

Does anyone see any downfalls with this?

I'm not an economic genius, so I can't really answer what the "fairer" way would be. From my simple-minded perspective, there's no "equitable" way, but maybe a fairer way. I like the idea of a national sales tax to some degree. I would personally exempt food and medical expesnses. But other than that, I don't have any objections to paying an additional tax for things I personally choose to buy. Not only do I have the choice to buy them, I have the choice to buy the less expensive versions of items I purchase, thereby paying less tax on an item than someone who chooses to buy a more expensive version may pay. I would do away with personal income taxes altogether. As to corporate taxes, I wouldn't even know where to begin, except to say that I would make it less of a tax burden for coporations to do their business, manufacturing, distribution, etc, IN the US, versus outside of it. How that would be accomplished, I have no idea. I leave those things to all the financial geniuses of BGP.

 

 

Would your VAT tax apply to home purchases?

 

Would you have exemptions for low-income households? The reason I ask is because a VAT is a VERY regressive form of taxation and many households that pay no income tax currently would have a massive increase in their tax burden under a VAT style system.

 

Would you be happy with a tax on your biggie-fry (saw your post in another thread)?

Would your VAT tax apply to home purchases?

In my simple-minded economics-yes, I would

 

Would you have exemptions for low-income households? The reason I ask is because a VAT is a VERY regressive form of taxation and many households that pay no income tax currently would have a massive increase in their tax burden under a VAT style system.

No, becasue I feel that if done as I would like (no income tax), they would have all their money up front, and would pay taxes only on what they purchase, based upon the amount of those purchases. Of course, again, this is my simple-minded eonomics, not the higher-economic principles someone, I'm sure, will enlighten me with. (Although-forewarned-I probably won't comprehend)

 

Would you be happy with a tax on your biggie-fry (saw your post in another thread)?

 

I'm fine with that. I already pay state taxes on it. Plus, I can choose to purchase it, or not. I can also purchas a smaller, less-expensive fry and save a few pennies there. Of course, the best would be not to purchase it at all and save not only several pennies, but likely several pounds.

liberal and conservative are different than right wing and left wing, for the record.

Liberal means you are open to other's ideas, you don't think you have all the answers. Conservative means you are the only right answers.

Therefore you can be politically Leftist but be a conservative if you think all right wing ideas are bad...

The biggest difference I see in my own thoughts is that when I was young I had a tremendous amount of respect for our presidents. I had respect for their intelligence, dignity, class, etc. (Yes, I had blinders on.)

In this age of every word being aired and analyzed, I can't say I feel the sam way about our last 3 presidents. Many times I feel like I really could do a better job....

I have to say that i am not a political person. I was raised that "2 + 2 = 4" and all of the politicians I know can't add! I think what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong and the most qualified person for the job should get it not the person who is sleeping with the boss or the bosses brother. You know, don't pee down my back and tell me it is raining. Also, if you work hard and pay your dues you should be rewarded for your hard work and dedication. I don't know maybe all that stuff falls somewhere within the political realm of thinking but i don't thik so because to me that all adds up to honesty and that word is not in the political dictionary!:dancingpa

The biggest difference I see in my own thoughts is that when I was young I had a tremendous amount of respect for our presidents. I had respect for their intelligence, dignity, class, etc. (Yes, I had blinders on.)

In this age of every word being aired and analyzed, I can't say I feel the sam way about our last 3 presidents. Many times I feel like I really could do a better job....

 

:thumb: That's the primary difference for me. My views have been tremendously strengthened- in that I believe government needs to be as small and invisible as possible. I've also become more radical- compared to a year a half ago, I'd now fully support disbanding the Federal Reserve, the Department of Education, the IRS, and drastically decreasing our military presence overseas. I've also began to look at every political action through the mindset of whether or not government has been given the right to do said action by the Constitution.

 

Alas, my vote is the last option. I seem to talk politics better after a few Shock Tops; perhaps due to the age old Buffalo Theory.

liberal and conservative are different than right wing and left wing, for the record.

Liberal means you are open to other's ideas, you don't think you have all the answers. Conservative means you are the only right answers.

Therefore you can be politically Leftist but be a conservative if you think all right wing ideas are bad...

 

Not even close to true.

Not even close to true.

 

I agree. However, those definitions certainly aren't reversed.

I voted for Goldwater , I voted for Obama . Need I say more .

 

 

Was the sea change due to a change in values/principles or more the result of your disapproval of Bush and the then current Republicans?

I agree. However, those definitions certainly aren't reversed.

 

I agree with you on that also. IMO the extreme ends of both sides are equally closed minded.

I think I'm probably one of the most conservative posters on the site however I had to say conservative but more liberal. My tolerance and acceptance of certain issues has definitely changed over the years.

 

I couldnt have stated my views any better than this. Im still conservative but I find a liberal notion to make sense now and then!:thumb:

liberal and conservative are different than right wing and left wing, for the record.

Liberal means you are open to other's ideas, you don't think you have all the answers. Conservative means you are the only right answers.

Therefore you can be politically Leftist but be a conservative if you think all right wing ideas are bad...

 

Both sides try to define the other. Looks like you are on the liberal side of the spectrum based on your comments, which taints your answer. Just as my conservative leanings would taint mine.