[freedomfox]

I agree with Dr. Pezzi's statement that "a logical threshold for differentiating whether one is more of a serf, or more free, is at the 50% [combined tax] level."

[9YearLurker]

It’s not just that, but the sales tax is generally added at every level of the supply chain—from raw materials to wholesaler, distributor to retailer and consumer. Look back farther at the raw materials and there are generally several layers of the tax already in that as well. It’s a VAT on more than just the ‘VA’.

[I cannot think of a name]

There's a group that tries to come up with the cost of all government. This includes all taxes, fees, school, etc. They have a heck of a time doing this, as no government function really want to cooperate. I've haven't seen any press releases from them for several years - hope they didn't go out of business.

At any rate, the last one I saw went something like this: the cost of government worked out to about 60% of GDP. Since we export so little anymore, most of that government cost came directly from the taxpayer. And since there is only a percentage of us that actually pay taxes - I'd have to say, “welcome to serfdom.”

I have a feeling that most of us we crossed the 50% line a long time ago.

[Frantzie]

Thank idiots who watch TV. TV controls America and the sheep keep watching. Fox is NOT your friend. They are all s**t. Fox’s biggest shareholder Prince Al Waleed is fronting money for the Victory Mosque.

Keep watching TV folks - you are good little serfs.

[KarlInOhio]

The combined federal-state statutory corporate tax rate is 39.3%, so you aren't just paying a bit more in taxes than you think, but much more.... To appreciate your total tax burden, add the corporate tax rate to your federal, state, and local income taxes. Then add your Social Security tax and double it, because the matching contribution paid by your employer is ultimately paid by the sweat of your brow.

That's a sloppy argument. The corporate tax only applies to the profits, so you have to multiply the 39.3% by whatever the profit rate is (even before the recession it was below 10%) to get the average additional burden on the taxpayer.

[rlmorel]

Welcome to Free Republic, freedomfox, and an EXCELLENT first thread posting. Just excellent.

I’m usually a bit reticent about praising people who post a thread on their sign up day, but...can’t argue about this one. I think it is usually better to get the lay of the land first, but you have either been lurking for a while or have had an account here before (not that there is anything WRONG with that...:)

In any case...thanks for posting it.

[Cyber Liberty]

A good article explaining how we already have a de facto VAT in place.

[pnh102]

Consumers also pay the cost of every corporate tax, in addition to any sales tax applied to purchases.

[Sergio]

Bookmark.

[caver]

Nice rant blog pimper! You are preaching to the choir here.

[WVNan]

Most excellent freedomfox. Welcome to Free Republic (if you are new), the premier conservative forum on the net. You should fit in nicely, if this post is any indication.

[JDoutrider]

If you are the author, I give you a BIG Standing “O”!

[backwoods-engineer]

Excellent post; thank you, and welcome!