I think a tax free (meaning, no tax on US citizens) government is theoretically possible.
1) On all business contracts, charge a fee that is a percentage of the contract amount. This is entirely optional, but paying it will result in your contract being valid in the united states courts. Million and Billion dollar deals are made every day, this would add up fast.
2) Tarrifs on foreign goods.
3) The Lottery
I think these three would be more than enough to pay for the bare essentials - Police, Firefighters, Courts, Military, Ect.
So my questions are:
- Does this sound feasible to you?
- Would you want to live under a tax free government?
A Tax Free Government
Moderator: Dictators in Training
A Tax Free Government
-Yamori
AKA ~~Baron Boshie of the Nameless~~
AKA ~~Baron Boshie of the Nameless~~
No it doesn't sound feasible to me. Although our country once operated without and income tax getting back to that now would be near impossible. I certainly don't think we would have enough revenue to maintain our current spending... granted there is a lot of waste, and a lot of things not handeled intelligently, but I still think you are talking about revenue that would fall far short of what would be needed to operate even basic functions.
Even trying to scale it back over time, I don't see it working. The loss of social programs and government jobs alone would have people up in arms. Remember it is only the people who earn a paycheck that are going to see the benefit of no income tax. But both those holding down a job and those living off the government can vote, to a certain extent it would be political suicide. Honestly where taxes are concerned I think we have probably passed the point of no return. What I do think would work is a flat rate income tax, with a poverty cut off level. Everyone pays the same percentage. Sure some would say the rich benefit more... well yea they get to keep more of what they make, but so does everyone else by the same percentage.
Sure if we were able to maintain without taxes I'd like it, however I don't think it's realisitc and a flat rate income tax in my opinion is the next best thing.
Even trying to scale it back over time, I don't see it working. The loss of social programs and government jobs alone would have people up in arms. Remember it is only the people who earn a paycheck that are going to see the benefit of no income tax. But both those holding down a job and those living off the government can vote, to a certain extent it would be political suicide. Honestly where taxes are concerned I think we have probably passed the point of no return. What I do think would work is a flat rate income tax, with a poverty cut off level. Everyone pays the same percentage. Sure some would say the rich benefit more... well yea they get to keep more of what they make, but so does everyone else by the same percentage.
Sure if we were able to maintain without taxes I'd like it, however I don't think it's realisitc and a flat rate income tax in my opinion is the next best thing.
Raymond S. Kraft wrote:The history of the world is the history of civilizational clashes, cultural clashes. All wars are about ideas, ideas about what society and civilization should be like, and the most determined always win.
Those who are willing to be the most ruthless always win. The pacifists always lose, because the anti-pacifists kill them.
Lueyen, well we know that the flat tax rate died with Steve Forbes being shunned by it in his election. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but the people will just not vote on it.
As far as the no income taxes, it would never work. The multi million / billion dollar deals you plan on taxing would be drawn up in another country and held up in their courts. The lottery is a descent idea, they make soo much money it scares me. And the tariffs on foreign goods would devastate our economy. If we jack up the tariffs on Japan's, China's, hell even Englands goods, you don't think they'll do the same to ours? We would have to be a completely self sustaining economy (think old China) before we would even want to attempt this.
Finally on the no income taxes... are you including businesses in this or just personal? Sole Proprietorships are all on a schedule C of a personal return. Think how fat the CEO's, Owners, etc would get off this. Their company has 15 million dollars of taxable income near oh lets say 3 days from their year end Dec 28th. They cut themselves a paycheck for a little over 14 million dollars and drop less than 1 million on the medicare/401k that would come out.... now he has 14 million in his pocket, the company made 0 dollars for the year (no tax) and he's fat rich.
As far as the no income taxes, it would never work. The multi million / billion dollar deals you plan on taxing would be drawn up in another country and held up in their courts. The lottery is a descent idea, they make soo much money it scares me. And the tariffs on foreign goods would devastate our economy. If we jack up the tariffs on Japan's, China's, hell even Englands goods, you don't think they'll do the same to ours? We would have to be a completely self sustaining economy (think old China) before we would even want to attempt this.
Finally on the no income taxes... are you including businesses in this or just personal? Sole Proprietorships are all on a schedule C of a personal return. Think how fat the CEO's, Owners, etc would get off this. Their company has 15 million dollars of taxable income near oh lets say 3 days from their year end Dec 28th. They cut themselves a paycheck for a little over 14 million dollars and drop less than 1 million on the medicare/401k that would come out.... now he has 14 million in his pocket, the company made 0 dollars for the year (no tax) and he's fat rich.
~Beelz~
Bah wouldnt let me post picture of it heh but yes.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books
Tossica wrote:Yamori wrote:Yeah, fair tax plan definitely has my support... It's still tax but at least it's far less intrusive.
No offense Yamori but have you ever even paid taxes? I am curious... I thought I remember you saying you don't/have not ever had a job?
I don't have a job. Haven't paid taxes, except on some stock profits.
-Yamori
AKA ~~Baron Boshie of the Nameless~~
AKA ~~Baron Boshie of the Nameless~~
Cool! It's now MY idea!
Maybe I can run for President now!
Maybe I can run for President now!
Inside each person lives two wolves. One is loyal, kind, respectful, humble and open to the mystery of life. The other is greedy, jealous, hateful, afraid and blind to the wonders of life. They are in battle for your spirit. The one who wins is the one you feed.
One of these days I'll get a camera and post a pic.
Inside each person lives two wolves. One is loyal, kind, respectful, humble and open to the mystery of life. The other is greedy, jealous, hateful, afraid and blind to the wonders of life. They are in battle for your spirit. The one who wins is the one you feed.
I can't help it...those evil big business assholes have made it so I can't afford one. My life choices have nothing to do with my inability to buy one, though!
Inside each person lives two wolves. One is loyal, kind, respectful, humble and open to the mystery of life. The other is greedy, jealous, hateful, afraid and blind to the wonders of life. They are in battle for your spirit. The one who wins is the one you feed.
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Insanityfair
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