A Simple, Easy Way to Protest Our Tax Code

3/31/2002 | DennisR

[DennisR]

Well, I am almost finished with the most flagrant waste of my time--doing my Federal taxes. Just look at Schedule D to enter the worst nightmare of your tax-paying lives. For years, I have thought a flat rate would be best. The only deduction would be for charitable deductions, nothing else. Even Russia now has a flat rate tax of 13%! I think that's about 3% too high, but, hey, it's a step in the right direction.

Anyway, last night I came up with a great idea that might help politicians realize that they have to do something to end the insanity of a 46,000-page tax code. The idea is this: after sending in your 2001 tax return to the IRS, take your 2001 tax booklet and write "I want a 10% flat tax implemented by 2004," then mail it to one of your federal representatives. If they received tens of thousands of these booklets each year in their mail, maybe they would get an idea that we want simpliciation instead of punishment and distress.

[DennisR]

Any others want to join me? Any other ideas about making simple, easy, and inexpensive protests that will get our Congressmen and Congresswomen's attention?

[Squantos]

Gonna wrap mine around a lead dive weight and send it freight collect...........

Good I idea, I'll do it.....Stay Safe !

[Pearls Before Swine]

Flat tax good, rate too low. I've heard different theories ranging from 17% to 23% on what the flat tax would need to be to cover current expenditures. Anything less, and people scream about services.

Also, if there is an exemption at the bottom of the scale, you get lots of cheating and lying all over again. You still have to have income tracking and income tax forms to take care of that group.

[DennisR]

Thoughtful, inventive, creative, and beautiful idea!

[Slam]

Like Lemmings to the sea we go...

Thank you

[DennisR]

If you do not have exemptions at the bottom (which I would recommend), you do not need to worry about that. If you make $100 a year, you send in $10. If you make a million, you send in $100,000. The reason you make everyone pay taxes is because you appreciate things more when you have to pay for them. Everyone benefits from defense, roads, and so forth, so everyone should contribute.

[Whispering Smith]

If you used a computer tax program the previous year, you do not get the booklet.

[DennisR]

Lemmings as in "we simply do as we are told in giving government whatever they want whenever they want it?"

[DennisR]

Hm...there is probably still time to get one at the post office. And if that doesn't work, mail in a section of the newspaper with the message written on the front.

[DennisR]

I think we can all agree that the Feds spending about $8000 for every man, woman, and child in the country is just a wee bit too much. After defense and infrastructure, the responsibility of the Federal government drops off very quickly. So by having a 10% tax rate, we cut spending because we cut the amount of money available to the insatiable Federal government.

[DennisR]

I disagree. Yes, although the dregs of society get away with zero or no taxes, that is probably a small percentage of the population. A national sales tax is a very bad idea because capitalism is built on consumerism. No consumerism = no economy. And when you raise the price of something--which is what a national sales tax would do--you will sell less of it. Be that as it may, if you want a national sales tax, write that on the front of the tax booklet and send it in. Anything would be better than what we have now. I plan on sending my booklet in on the same day I send my taxes in.

[Decentralize]

Anyway, last night I came up with a great idea that might help politicians realize that they have to do something to end the insanity of a 46,000-page tax code. The idea is this: after sending in your 2001 tax return to the IRS, take your 2001 tax booklet and write "I want a 10% flat tax implemented by 2004," then mail it to one of your federal representatives. If they received tens of thousands of these booklets each year in their mail, maybe they would get an idea that we want simpliciation instead of punishment and distress.

That's a good idea. I got a buddy who everytime he cuts a check to the IRS writes "THE GOVERNMENT IS STEALING FROM ME" in the memo line. This probably accomplishes nothing except getting him a more extensive FBI file but I like it nonetheless.

[Coleus]

Great idea, I will do it tomorrow.

[Don Corleone]

No consumerism = no economy. And when you raise the price of something--which is what a national sales tax would do--you will sell less of it.

There are presently about 100 seperate taxes levied on a loaf of bread before you get it at the grocery store. That is in effect a hidden VAT and doesn't seem to stop consumption much. Flat Tax=Good Idea.

[DennisR]

Somehow getting the attention of the IRS does not seem like a good idea. :)

[jadimov]

...when you raise the price of something--which is what a national sales tax would do

Under a sales tax, prices will go up but so would disposable income. We would no longer pay income taxes.

I still like your protest idea.

[DennisR]

Which bring up another aspect of the flat tax. It would be the ONLY way the Feds could collect taxes. So all of the hidden ways they nickel-and-dime us to death (like Gore's internet tax) would be abolished.

[DennisR]

"There is something fundamentally wrong with your premise that we should let the drug dealers, whores, and pimps and dishonest business people get a free pass on taxes while you and I tax slave longer than necessary each year to cover their asses." I am only recognizing and accepting the fact that dishonest people will always be with us. These people could still be arrested for avoiding payment of their tax bill--just like they can be today. And what happens when the black market for "national-sales-tax" items becomes prevalent? And believe me, it will happen. "Psst...buddy. How about buying this nice, slightly-used CD player without paying the NST?"