Taxpayers Are Really Tea-ed Off
Tax Revolt: The Boston Tea Party helped free us from an oppressive king. This week's nationwide anti-stimulus tea party demonstrations have a tougher goal: ending the tyranny of big-spending politicians."If you want to stimulate the economy, you just need to reduce the taxes and regulations," Kansas real estate agent John Todd told the Wichita Eagle, explaining in the clearest terms why he is organizing one of 500 anti-stimulus "tea parties" to take place in cities and towns across America today, April 15, Tax Day.
What the tea parties aim to accomplish is really a much taller order than gaining independence from a tyrannical monarch and far-away parliament two centuries ago. They are trying to persuade Congress and the states to reject what comes perfectly naturally to them: the opportunity to fritter away a fortune in other people's money, and the idea that we should spend our way out of this economic downturn.
~IBD Editorial
See related WSJ editorial today "Tax Day Becomes Protest Day: How the tea parties could change American politics," by Glenn Reynolds, here's an excerpt:
What's most striking about the tea-party movement is that most of the organizers haven't ever organized, or even participated, in a protest rally before. General disgust has drawn a lot of people off the sidelines and into the political arena, and they are already planning for political action after today.
MP: Given the national taxpayer outrage and foul mood this week about big-spending politicians, imagine if they went to the voting polls this week, or even this month?Unfortunately, taxpayer outrage about Big Government usually coincides closely with Tax Day in April, which is way far away from Voting Day in November. As the graphic above shows, it's been 162 days since we last voted in November 2008, and it will be 202 days before the next election, so Tax Day and Voting Day are almost as far apart as two recurring annual dates can be.
Here's an idea: Move Tax Day and Voting Day much closer together, like perhaps in the same month or same week, instead of being about 6 months apart. Couldn't we vote in April or pay taxes in November?
12 Comments:
Today's the big day... Citizens, assemble! www.shirts4freedom.com
Couple other ideas:
1) Pay your taxes and then you can vote.
2) Require voters to be licensed, they must pass a basic US/State Civics proficiency exam (like drivers ed) to be able to vote.
3) Make low level political office like the jury system. Three people drawn from pool of registered taxpaying voters to be the candidates for a 1 year term. This would only be for a couple of the local offices. This could increase the political gene pool with common sense everyday people.
4) Make Federal Political offices into the highest US Tax bracket, with no loopholes. This would be Elected Officials and Appointed Officials. The tax Bracket would be current highest level +10%. This creates an incentive to keep income tax % low. Then publish annually by May1 of the same year each of the above tax Returns.
I'm paraphrasing someone else who I can't remember), but you should pay your taxes in a lump sum once a year, and the back of the check should be your ballot. ;)
I people paid their taxes in a lump sum there would be a revolution. Much easier for the government to slowly bleed it out on a month to month basis
I have suggested for years that we take care of the nation's business matters in the same month by having taxes due on or about the same day as we have national elections.
As a nation, we should have a dialog about our priorities as a nation and we intend to finance those priorities. We should then write the check and cast our votes and move on to dealing with our lives.
The only ones who fault such a structure are professional politicians who work to promote their interests instead of their constituents' or the nation's.
It's time to stop the looting and start the prosecuting. Let's start with AIG, Citi, Goldman, BoA. They are raping the taxpayer.
BTW
Cromagnum, your ideas a completely unrealistic and unworkable.
It's time to stop the looting and start the prosecuting. Let's start with AIG, Citi, Goldman, BoA.Right after we're done with Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters and Andrew Cuomo.
"It's time to stop the looting and start the prosecuting. Let's start with AIG, Citi, Goldman, BoA. They are raping the taxpayer"...
No they're not, Congress is...
Consider the following from the Business & Media Institute: FNC's Napolitano Claims Bush Administration Committed 'Extortion' Against Banks - Senior judicial analyst details how lenders forced to accept TARP funds under threat of FDIC audit...
There's a short video clip of Napolitano talking about the situation...
You may also want to peruse the following editorial from Investors Business Daily: Federal Takeover - Bailouts: Didn't Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner say that it was not the administration's intent to control private companies? Then why is it reportedly reluctant to accept TARP repayments from some banks?
Actually, a recent gallop poll suggests most American's are NOT really "tea-ed" off.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/117433/Views-Income-Taxes-Among-Positive-1956.aspx
If paying Taxes is so Patriotic. Why don’t Democrats working for Obama and 38% of Americans pay them?
Dave Johnson
Sacramento
I followed the link to your Gallup Poll and couldn't stop laughing. Here's the lead:
PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll finds 48% of Americans saying the amount of federal income taxes they pay is "about right," with 46% saying "too high" -- one of the most positive assessments Gallup has measured since 1956. Typically, a majority of Americans say their taxes are too high, and relatively few say their taxes are too low.Can't spot the problem with your, "Actually, a recent gallop poll suggests most American's are NOT really "tea-ed" off", claim?
FIFTY PERCENT OF AMERICANS PAY NO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES! So, yes, they think that the amount of taxes they pay is "about right". That leaves those that actually pay taxes saying that taxes are "too high".
Clueless liberal.
Pathetic liberals can't read...
Courtesy of Rasmussen Reports: While the economy remains the top issue nationwide, taxes are moving up on the priority list. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of voters see taxation as very important; it’s highest level in nearly two years.
Last month, 61% said taxes were very important to them. Prior to that survey, that number never rose above 60%.
Another 26% now see taxes as a somewhat important issue, while only 8% say taxes are not very or not at all important in terms of how they will vote...
Post a Comment
<< Home