Thomas Sowell: "Work Pays"

Townhall.com ^ | May 2, 2003 | Thomas Sowell

[RAT Patrol]

Thank you to Thomas Sowell for endlessly saying what others won't!

The fact that my husband works two jobs never gets factored into anything. While others are relaxing on the weekend, he's still working. When others are on vacation, he's at a freelance job. All the government sees is -- you're making more than lazy so-and-so.... Hard work should not be punished.

[mabelkitty]

I have a man that does. He's a Vietnam Vet. Never took one dime from the government. Ever.

Has no pension lined up, but a 401(K).

Tell me how this tax system is moral.

[RAT Patrol]

And because you are so responsible, if one or both of you were to be laid-off, suffer a drastic reduction in income for any number of reasons or whatever, you will be in a position to see yourselves through it. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! You are what is right in the world.

[mabelkitty]

Did you read that article on Drudge about how ten percent of our economy is dealing in black market? That translates to roughly $3 trillion dollars not being taxed.

Illegal porn is as lucrative as the domestic box office tax for the Hollywood movie industry.

More marijuana is being purchased than cigarettes.

28% of the labor market in California is illegal immigrants getting paid cash.

What's wrong with this picture?

[GYPSY286]

what you said - I know exactly what you mean and I'm a single person in PA. I thought at this point in my life, things would be "easier". Instead, I live from pay-to-pay, no vacation since 1987, and am looking for a part-time evening job to boot.

[Bekki4Bush]

Exactly why consumption taxes should be the way!!!

Eliminate all income taxes and put sales taxes on everything,( including services) of 6- 10% to divide 70-20-10 fed state local. Then all those black market money makers at least pay taxes on every dollar they spend, and we normal folks aren't paying all the taxes on income and again on every dollar we spend. So simple...puts a lot of tax accountants and attorneys out of work, though. Tax coffers would be full.

[CGTRWK]

Our behemoth is not going to be fed by a 6-10% consumption tax. Consumer spending makes up about 2/3 of the GDP. Round that to 7 trillion dollars. Federal personal income tax revenues alone are close to a trillion dollars a year, or almost 15 % of total consumer spending. Add in state and local theft and this consumption tax is looking to be in the order of 25%.

Which is, needless to say, outrageous, but would still be an improvement over what we have now. If it were that simple, which it isn't. I've already been raped for close to 50% on every penny I've saved up - now we're going to change the tax rules to basically reduce the value of my savings by another 25% or so?

This punishes people responsible enough to save, ruins people who were counting on finishing their lives on their savings, and does next to nothing towards reducing my tax burden.

The problem here is spending. Confiscation and subsequent waste of a third of the GDP is going to bleed the citizenry dry, there's now way around that. Changing from an income tax to a consumption tax basically amounts to taking the needle out of one arm and inserting it in the other.

[goodnesswins]

YEP....whatever YOU REWARD....is WHAT YOU GET....i.e. government rewards laziness.

[goodnesswins]

30% of the market in Vancouver, BC is under the table....the more taxes you get, the more black market you get.....but, hey, don't tell the government....sheesh.

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt