Poll: Most Americans say tax system unjust

AP ^ | 4-14-2006 | WILL LESTER

[satchmodog9]

If one can believe the results of this poll you would have to assume the left has succeeded in entrenching class envy among our citizens. I doubt the numbers in the poll are accurate, but I will admit an enormous amount of people in this nation feel the rich don't pay enough. What disturbs me is the polls findings that the poor pay too much. Class envy is for the ignorant who want to blame someone else for their own lot in life. I see it on FR all the time. That saddens me greatly.

[MNJohnnie]

Well they are right for the wrong reasons. The current tax system is unjust. It should tax consumption not income. Everyone consumes, not everyone generates income. Lots of your big name leftists are trust fund babies. They don't have much income so they are all for big Socialist style Govt. It is the working people that have to pay for it, not those who inherited their money.

[Clemenza]

The purpose of taxation is to RAISE REVENUE, NOT to "redistribute wealth."

Such idiotic opinions by the sheeple make me thank the fathers that we are a REPUBLIC, NOT A DEMOCRACY!

[Pearls Before Swine]

I wouldn't use the word "unjust." I'd say FUBAR is more like it. What's "unjust" is the magnitude of government involvement in the economy and every day life. A saner tax/collection system might work more smoothly, but wouldn't eliminate the gross appropriation and misuse of resources that characterize the modern state.

[FairOpinion]

PING

Time for the Fairtax.

[Always Right]

The AP tries to skew this poll to make it look like people agreed with Clinton for raising taxes and disagreed with Bush for cutting taxes. All this poll shows that most people (middle class) think they pay too much taxes, while these same people (middle class) think the rich pay too little.

[JaggedEdge]

I really don't give a damn what other people pay in taxes......the only thing I'm concerned about is how, each month, the harder I work and the more money I make, the more the government takes from me. I understand that we citizens have a responsiblity to pay taxes, but why punish me if I choose to work hard and try to make life better for my family?? Why take a chunk what I make? Why not do it thru sales taxes and so forth?

[hermgem]

Close to 50% do not pay income taxes.
What else comes next, or who else does want skip?
Do we really want to go to the European system that is stuck in 10% unemployment.
Will satisfaction set in when everyone is equally poor?
The rich however take their money overseas while the masses start to realize that there's no job creation without investment.
Democracy finally won by taking it from the rich.
Carl Marx smiles all the way to mass equality.

[Flifuss]

The Clinton administration won passage in 1993 of a deficit-reduction measure that blended tax increases, budget cuts and rebates for the working poor.

Not to mention Clinton added a provision with that law, that if you disagree with how the IRS interprets the tax law, your subject to a penalty. Now, if you disagree with the IRS about a regulation, you have to put it in writing and attach it to your return. Nobody does this to my knowledge. (That's like asking illegal immigrants to register with the Feds and pay a fine, I don't think they will).

[RobbyS]

The poor generally pay only sales and utility taxes taxes or indirectly through rent. To offset that, they receive huge subsidies from the public, including babysitting service from the public schools. The middle-class's problem is that so mcuh of their income is derived from salaries, which are hard to shelter from the tax man. No mentioned is the huge bill that goes to tax-preparers and accountants, which is paid mainly by the rich and companies. The small businessman is especially hard hit, because his finances are so complex and are hard to account. But even big firms suffer from poor managment, which means a lot of tight jaws when PRIVATE auditors come around.

[satchmodog9]

You nailed it

[satchmodog9]

That's why everyone should start a small cash business if they can.

[Always Right]

Besides it wasn't Clinton who made the budget cut, but the GOP congress. Clinton shut the government down trying to stop the cuts.

[ClaireSolt]

People maintain these attitudes, in spite of reality. They don't know the code, just the myth that the middle class pays the most. And, isn't it interesting that this story perpetuates the misinformation, making no effort to give correct information. Drive By!

Did you see in yesterday's WSJ that the elimination of Spanish American war era taxes on long distance phone bills is being won in the courts, after Clinton vetoed its repeal by Congress? Could produce $60b in refunds.

[LtKerst]

People were most likely to think the middle class is paying too much in taxes, according to the poll.


Time for another Boston "Tea Party"

throw every politician with a "T" in their name into Boston harbor.

then throw every politician without a "T" in their name into Boston harbor.

then throw in the rest.

[satchmodog9]

I like that.

[panthermom]

Wait until the amnesty takes effect. We'll have 20 million people added to the tax rolls, only they will hover just above the poverty level because they are mostly unskilled, illiterate and don't speak the language. They will then qualify for all the freebies. Whose gonna pay for it all? You and me, but we'll have nice lawns and cheap veggies. Fair trade? NOT!

[panthermom]

I totally agree with you.

[Triggerhippie]

LOL!

[OldFriend]

Idiots. Low income people pay no income taxes at all for the most part.