SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : View from the Center and Left
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Cogito who wrote (94129)11/5/2008 4:54:52 PM
From: cosmicforce   of 541403
 
Allen -

<If people want to be married, that should be a matter for churches.>

I could have said those same words - and have.

I don't understand why marriage is an issue for government at all - it is one of those legacy things like counting Native Americans and slaves as 3/5 of a person. But I also don't think churches should be tax exempt. Last I checked, fire and police were still on call to these institutions, so it isn't like they don't put a drain on the resources. Think of the income that would be had if the Catholic Church paid property taxes and income tax on revenues that exceeded expenses. What about capital gains on property that is collected tax-free through tithes and endowments, but is later resold?

Let's just eliminate marital status completely leaving only dependents as deductions. If you file as someone's dependent then your income is unsheltered. For most people, this isn't going to change much.

Generally dependents aren't well paid so I wouldn't expect this to be an economic issue. This would allow two people to partner with the greater wage earner declaring the lesser wage earner as a dependent. This could include mentally or physically disabled family members, friends or others whom society should want to help anyway. If someone has a partner they should be able to have the same benefit as someone with a poorly paid spouse or adult retarded son or daughter (IMO).

We have laws on the books that protect children as dependents whether or not they were conceived in marriage. Heck, even people who didn't copulate with someone are now being held to task for children they sire.

- cosmicforce
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News