Why there is a Tea Party

[copyruss]

Everyone that purchases, pays taxes. At the grocery store, at the pump, when buying clothes, when buying a vehicle, servicing a vehicle, yearly on personal property. I'd venture to say that the homeless are the closest to paying no taxes at all.

Hey Spelling and Grammar Police - That's not a complete sentence!!!!

[Hemlock]

I guess it really wasn't an arguement, but you were refuting Tack's statement of 45% of American's paying no taxes, (which is true, by the way) with your statement.

Have to ask you a question. I don't know your financial situation, but induldge me one more time. If you are currently paying 35% of your salary in taxes and then had to pay in 45% next year, wouldn't you look harder for every possible deduction that you could possibly take?

First, where are you digging up this "45% of Americans don't pay taxes" bit?

Second, just so we're clear, are you stating that it's acceptable or unacceptable to list as many deductions as you can?

BTW - thanks for pointing out my spelling error. I'm sure it makes my point meaningless...

If you're not gonna pay attention to details, you're bound to get something wrong. Both in copier repair and day to day life.

[Hemlock]

Hey Spelling and Grammar Police - That's not a complete sentence!!!!

Yep, that was supposed to be a comma after the word property. I get a piece of humble pie.

[copyruss]

Atlas Shrugged? I haven't read it and likely won't, for the same reasons I won't read teh bible. [/URL]

Details like that? You shouldn't throw rocks if you live in a glass house, Hemlock.

[Hemlock]

Details like that? You shouldn't throw rocks if you live in a glass house, Hemlock.

I have enough self awareness to own a mistake.

[copyruss]

First, where are you digging up this "45% of Americans don't pay taxes" bit?

Second, just so we're clear, are you stating that it's acceptable or unacceptable to list as many deductions as you can?

Of course it is absolutely acceptable to take any and all legal deductions. I'm just asking: Would you look closer at the details of your income, investments and deductions to avoid paying in more than you absolutely are required to? Since I'm a simple person, let's say you make $100,000/yr, happily paying $35,000 in federal tax. Next year, you'll be paying $45,000. Will you do anything different so that you don't have to pay the additional $10,000?

I must say, I love debating with you, Hemlock!

[copyruss]

First, where are you digging up this "45% of Americans don't pay taxes" bit?

Study: 45 percent of Americans federal income tax-free | AHN

and

Nearly half of US households escape fed income tax - Yahoo! Finance

[Hemlock]

Of course it is absolutely acceptable to take any and all legal deductions. I'm just asking: Would you look closer at the details of your income, investments and deductions to avoid paying in more than you absolutely are required to? Since I'm a simple person, let's say you make $100,000/yr, happily paying $35,000 in federal tax. Next year, you'll be paying $45,000. Will you do anything different so that you don't have to pay the additional $10,000?

I must say, I love debating with you, Hemlock!

If it's ok to take any and all deductions, as long as they're codified, then you're ok with the lower income earners taking the deductions they have access to - even if it means a zero or a refund on the bottom line, n'est-ce pas?

I think we both agree there needs to be an overhaul of the tax system. We just disagree on who is scamming the system the most and how to fix it.

[copyruss]

If it's ok to take any and all deductions, as long as they're codified, then you're ok with the lower income earners taking the deductions they have access to - even if it means a zero or a refund on the bottom line, n'est-ce pas?

I think we both agree there needs to be an overhaul of the tax system. We just disagree on who is scamming the system the most and how to fix it.

Damn you! Use French on me, will you?? Have I insulted you that much???

Have you seriously looked at the Fair Tax Act? It makes so much sense and I've been behind the theory for years.

[HenryT2]

I am trying to get caught up on TecNet since I've been out of contact for a few days.


W O W !!! I've really missed out on some of interesting STUFF.



Originally Posted by DWise
Maybe even put a semi-annual check-up on people living on welfare. If they drive up in Escalades and a mouth full of gold, revoke their welfare. It's sickening the way some people cheat the system and somehow get paid to sit on their butts and do nothing.

Then Hemlock:

Meaning another governmental entity and allowing further intrusion into people's personal lives?

NO ! we don't need another government entity that will require us to have to pay more taxes...we need the one we already have ( Dept of Human Services ) to do it's job. AND , it should be a requirement to pass a drug test to qualify to receive the tax dollars that I have to pass a drug test to be allowed the honor of paying into the system.

If this is an intrusion into the personal lives of the tax recipients ; then this should be an intrusion into my personal life as well.

I do not use drugs, but , if you want to use drugs; go right ahead. Personally ,I do not drink beer , but , if you want to drink beer , go ahead . But , please stay off the roads my tax dollars helped to build and also to maintain . OH YEAH ; on a more public note : if Obama wants to announce that he is brewing beer ( an alcoholic beverage ) in a government owned building ( oops, isn't there a law against that ? ) called the WHITE HOUSE ; hey , that's OK too; RIGHT ? I just hope it wasn't my tax dollars paying for the ingredients . ( and , don't forget , he always has a ' Designated Driver ' )

[Jimbo1]

People, by and large given liberty, can govern themselves.

[Hemlock]

Damn you! Use French on me, will you?? Have I insulted you that much???

Have you seriously looked at the Fair Tax Act? It makes so much sense and I've been behind the theory for years.

I'll admit that a consumption tax has a certain appeal. It would give some sense control over how much you pay. Though, if you have a frugal or struggling community, who pays the firefighters, EMTs or cops? There'd still need to be some kind of tax distribution, as the middle class or rich will be impacted by their poor neighbors.

Texas, right now, is a great example. If everyone had their own cows and vegetable gardens, and built their own homes, there'd be little collected in the form of a sales tax. Who then funds the firefighters battling the wildfires that are threatening everyone (not just rural inhabitants)?