DNC Convention and "investment"

[Sharpienads]

Would being rich help you achieve your life goal?

If you were rich it would help me achieve my life goal of being on welfare.

[Rucker61]

Duties, imposts, and excise taxes would be up to the federal government, but I'm not sure what they should be set at. I don't know enough about them.

All the other taxes mentioned would be up to the state. IMO, there should be no such thing as a property tax. I would rather pay more in other taxes and have no property tax. I would also rather pay more in taxes to my state than my federal government.

New question: would you tax churches and non-profits?

[Sharpienads]

New question: would you tax churches and non-profits?

No. Why would you?

[Rucker61]

No. Why would you?

Why wouldn't you? Your plan said "everybody pays". How do you determine who is exempt? What qualifies as a church or non-profit?

[GilpinGuy]

I think 15% is more than anybody's fair share. If we have an income tax, it ought to be a flat tax. No higher than 10%. And everybody pays. 10% personal and 10% corporate. No deductions, no credits, no tax on investment. If the federal government can't live off that revenue than it is too big and too intrusive, and therefore too coercive.

I haven't heard Rucker comment on a flat tax yet. I like it. Everyone has some skin in the game then. No free ride at all, ever. Then federal income tax hikes have an effect on every voter - not just the 50% who pay now.

That might change the game a little.

[GilpinGuy]

What qualifies as a church or non-profit?

Current tax law qualifies them. Want to change that? Change the law.

Edit: To be clear, I'm sure that the tax law has specifications in them for what exactly qualifies. I'm not going to look up the exact language - you can do that if you want. For example, I can't claim that I am the High Priest of the "GilpinGuy Church" (members: 1) and get exempt.

[Sharpienads]

Why wouldn't you? Your plan said "everybody pays". How do you determine who is exempt? What qualifies as a church or non-profit?

Anybody that receives an income from a church or non profit organization would be taxed. But the organizations themselves would not be taxed. I don't know what the exact legal definition of what a church or nonprofit would be, but it would be what one generally considers to be a church or nonprofit. Not very precise, I know. But you get the general idea. Any money you donate would have already been taxed, and any item you donated would have already been taxed and paid for with already taxed money.

[Irving]

I would eliminate taxes on fees and fines.

[Sharpienads]

I haven't heard Rucker comment on a flat tax yet. I like it. Everyone has some skin in the game then. No free ride at all, ever. Then federal income tax hikes have an effect on every voter - not just the 50% who pay now.

That might change the game a little.

That's "if" we have an income tax. I don't don't like the idea of an income tax, but if that's what we have it should be flat and everybody should pay. I think a consumption tax might be a better way to go.

[Irving]

I think a consumption tax might be a better way to go.

What is your idea behind a consumption tax? Why should I be taxed because I purchase something?