[robertpaulsen]

If you didn't pay any income taxes, let's say you charge me $100 to cut my grass. If you had to pay income taxes, would you charge me the same amount?

No, you'd charge me more, say $130, so you'd still have $100 left after paying $30 in taxes.

So, when I now pay you $130 to cut my grass, who's really paying the tax?

[groanup]

...No, you'd charge me more, say $130, so you'd still have $100 left after paying $30 in taxes.

I'd charge what the market will bear. If I can get you to pay me $199.95 to cut your grass I'll do it. Now I have to pay MORE taxes. If I can only get you to pay me $50 to cut your grass I pay less. But then I might not cut your sorry lawn. So, even though my family doesn't eat tonight I have been saved from a tax liability.