[Deuce]

Deuce: that does not negate the fact that the tax burden is shifted from higher to lower income taxpayers.

Ancient_Geezer: I'll take the straightening out of the distribution from what it is now, thank you.

This appears to be the guts of our differences. I oppose a tax that shifts a still greater burden to the middle class and you favor it---perhaps, from your sense of fairness. I feel the middle class already carries a disproportionate share of the burden.

[ancient_geezer]

I feel the middle class already carries a disproportionate share of the burden.

You are welcome to your opinion.

The data suggests that the upper income class pays more tax in proportion to their income than any other class. It also supports the conclusion that the middle class pays less tax in proportion to their income than the average rate would provide.

Obviously I do not agree with your assessment.

In any case, my prime guide is not who pays the most or least for that matter, rather what is the effect upon liberty privacy and the ability of the electorate to hold government accountable for its excesses through their knowlegable assessment of government burden vs government benefit.

The current system is severly skewed in perception of the electorate in favor of growth and ever more powerful government at the expense of a minority of citizens.

 

The Crisis of Democracy

The Honorable James DeMint (R-SC)
United States House of Representatives

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2001
12:00 noon

"In 1996, Congress passed a historic welfare reform law that has dramatically reduced the number of Americans who depend on welfare. In spite of this positive development, Representative DeMint is concerned about the steady growth of a welfare/entitlement state that extends well beyond the poor and is forcing millions of middle income Americans into dependency.

There has been a shift in the relationship between individuals and government, he argues, such that fewer and fewer are paying taxes at the same time that more and more are receiving increasingly generous benefits. If it becomes the case that most voters do not bear a financial burden for this largess, then there will be little to restrain--and significant political incentives to encourage--the continued growth of government. And at that point, DeMint warns, we have reached a major crisis in our democracy."

---

Milton Friedman as quoted by Northwest Florida Daily News, 10-16-2000:

• "If we're to have an income tax, it's a good thing for everyone to pay at least a nominal amount," he said. "If non-taxpayers become a majority in society, what would restrain them from voting for ever higher taxes on others?"