I think you are missing my point. Before we had this massive government presence, democracy was a good system to debate and decide issues of right and wrong, rights and responsibilities, laws, morality etc. Each citizen has an equal voice and these laws apply equally to all.
Joe,
I don't think I misunderstood you. You were concerned that the wealthy were paying more than their fair share of taxes....my response was that they control more and more of the wealth in this country. And on what percentage of this wealth do they pay taxes...probably 20-40%. In other words the unfairness is the other way; the less wealthy do not have the accountants and financial advisors of the wealthy and so they end up paying taxes on a higher percentage of their wealth.
The whole system is turning into a fight for money. Under this scenario, not everyone is the same, and the consequences of the decision arrived at through democratic process affect each citizen differently.
The fight over $ began when the constitution was drawn up and has worsened since the beginning of the 20th century.
Let's say we have a law under consideration that says "the government will pay for the air conditioning of the poor". If you are a member of the non-taxed class, you bear no consequences. You are free to do what makes you feel good, you don't have to be rational at all.
You may even be a beneficiary of this money-grab / giveaway. It may not only not cost you anything, you are actually voting for a freebie for yourself.
I don't think a democratic process is equipped to deal with this scenario.
Yes it is...it has been going on to some extent in this country since the '30's and even more so in the western European countries. I can believe the giveaways my German friends get just for being in grad school.
If you have a balance on at least one side - (every shares the burden), it is still somewhat ok. but with number of people who are tax exempt increasing quickly, we are creating an unstable situation, and it is only a question of time as to when it will explode.
Actually during this economic expansion, the numbers of people on welfare has dropped dramatically....in reality they have been pushed off by the states. Many of these people are getting taxed for the first time in their lives.....thus tax exemptions are dropping and not increasing.....at least right now.
ted |
