(December 14, 2011 at 8:58 pm)Dotard Wrote: What is the problem with a flat tax? 10% across the board. No deductions for kids or whatever.
The tax code is very flawed, but putting in a flat tax system will not solve the problem.
Simply, if the government spent a lot less on the bloated military fund that supports these wars and the military industrial complex, there would be no reason to tax the middle class to death. Since that doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon, here are some key points why this tax will not work...
The US spends way too much money. 10% of your income might seem like you are saving some money, but that would strictly go towards the federal income tax. Are you forgetting that you have state income tax, sales tax, gasoline tax, property tax, medicare tax, social security tax, and about 40-50 other taxes that more than likely affect you. The poor will be screwed, the middle class would save a small amount (due to the elimination of deductions), and the rich will get off like fat cats. With the amount of money that is spent, the 10% flat tax would not eliminate all the other taxes that exist.
The corporations are not taxed enough, and since they "technically" own the US, they probably are against giving up any more money than they do now. They would love a 10% tax rate, because it would be on par with being the lowest on this planet. Without the loopholes (which are commonly used), the corporate tax rate would fall by at least 20%. There would have to be more taxes created to fund these wars, and I bet the corporations wouldn't have to pay these taxes.
The poor would revolt. I've fluctuated between middle class and dirt poor. (I'm currently poor and college educated, but hopefully a different degree and a career change will help drastically with my financial well being) There is a direct correlation between poverty and crime. More poverty will breed more crime. I've seen that you aren't to fond of math, but if you want me to prove this point mathematically, just ask.
A flat tax seems like a great idea, and many conservative politicians try to push it. Other great ideas, like invading Iraq, NAFTA, the Patriot Act, and The War Against Drugs proved to be terrible when enacted. This would devastate an already weak economy that is being propped up by a decaying infrastructure.
