I consider myself fairly liberal, so I don't agree with the free lunch comments. We ALL need to do our parts and it's easy for the haves to point to the have nots and say their just riding along for free. Are there some who do, of course, but the majority of people are trying hard and working hard and don't expect much.
Being single, I pay huge taxes but I also understand why I pay for schools and other services I don't use. I don't want to pay more but I do expect my community to function and know what the costs associated with the functioning are in this day and age. Similarly, I understand how the costs are growing.
I think that we've gone far enough with our backwards taxation policies, which tax the lowest classes at the highest levels. Not income taxes, mind you, but just about every other taxation policy hits the hardest for those who can least afford it.
The biggest problem, as I see it, isn't the rate of taxation, it's the application of those taxes and how they are spent. I see the government and taxation a bit like one big condo association. When there's a surplus, we can reduce the assessment but when there's a shortfall, assessments go up.
I would prefer a simpler and streamlined tax code. Most would agree. However, there are too many entrenched interests. Eventually, we'll get there but it's going to be a big, long, drawn out fight.
I never have understood how people can begrudge someone something as simple as a minimum wage. If your business can't survive on "slave" labor, it's not much of a business..... |
