We have to try. *Everyone* has to pay some federal income tax. I used to believe in our current progressive system. But now I see how dangerous it is. Every year, more and more people are falling off the federal tax rolls, leaving fewer and fewer of us paying the bills.
Currently I think it is approximately 47% who do not pay any federal income tax. In fact, many of them pay a “negative” tax (the Earned Income Tax Credit).
Guess what happens when a politician proposes more programs, more spending, higher taxes. Those 47% couldn’t care less. They have no skin in the game.
If you’re really worried about higher tax rates, just wait until the number of people who pay no federal tax goes above 50%. We’ll be forever outnumbered at the ballot box. Then it’s tyranny of the majority time. Game over.
I now believe every single working person should pay some federal income tax, regardless of income. It should be more than just a nominal amount, but not punitive. Just enough so that everyone will feel some pain when Fedzilla goes on a binge.