Why we should tax the rich more.

**techs** · August 2nd, 2004, 08:56 AM

Here's my thinking. The rich in the US get the best deal on the planet. During the Clinton years rich people didn't leave the country. We have the lowest taxes on the rich of any developed country. Rich people from around the world came here durning The Clinton years. No one left the US for a better deal elsewhere. How many rich people are moving to say, Tanzania, which might not tax the rich at all? None. Becuase they want to live in a country with health care, pollution standards, civil rights, strong defense, legal system based on laws and political stability. The Bush tax cut for the rich did not attract new rich people to America.
Now to the person who became rich in America due to hard work and brains. Say the guy who founded the no frills airline JetBlu( I am just using this as an example). He had an idea to cut costs dramatically and he would gain enough passengers to make money and he did. Could he have done it in England, France or Germany? Probably not. They have laws about competition, unions, etc that would have prevented it. In Ireland there is an airline called Ryannair which copied JetBlue. Bet that guy didn't make much in a small country like Ireland. So in America you can make far more money with the same innovation and ideas.
And if the rich don't like the taxes here they can leave.
As to the people who inherited fortunes many of them go back to the Carnegies and the Rockefellers. Fortunes made on the graves of workers and the formation of monopolies. But in America we don't take your money just cause you have it. So I don't see the old rich leaving America.
As to a doctor in the US who got rich thru hard work. I ask how much we he have made in England or Canada with the same hard work? Not much. Because he makes a ton more in the US. So he should shut up and pay his taxes.
At the 39 percent we taxed the wealthiest under Clinton our economy boomed. We had the lowest taxes on the rich in the developed world. Under the Bush tax plan I don't see any increase in wealthy people coming to America.
Lets repeal the tax cut for the top 2 percent. If they don't like it they can leave. I'm betting not one does.

**paraflyer** · August 2nd, 2004, 10:15 AM

So, lemme guess, I take it you're not in the top 2%??????

Would you have the same view if you were?

**Cleetus** · August 2nd, 2004, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by paraflyer

So, lemme guess, I take it you're not in the top 2%??????

Would you have the same view if you were?

I'd just like to be in the top 98%

Not a lot of money in dirt farmin'

**techs** · August 2nd, 2004, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by paraflyer

So, lemme guess, I take it you're not in the top 2%??????

Would you have the same view if you were?

I honestly don't know. I would hope I felt more patriotism than greed. But if they restored the tax brackets we had under Clinton I wouldn't pick up and leave the country.

**Major Kong** · August 2nd, 2004, 11:08 AM

The only solution is to eliminate all taxes, or at least go to a flat tax!

Actually techs I read in the Wall Street Journal (yes we get month old copies of it in Alaska

) awhile back that there were over 100,000 American millionaires who left the US in 2002 alone to be expatriated (I heard the # was similar for 2003 too). I can't remember the overall total, but I do know my ex-boss in AZ now lives in Costa Rica - he moved in '99 - he was worth about $6 million (lucky bastage talk about being in the right place at the right time). I'm a thinkin' that the new revision of tax rules on expatriation on folks that was introduced in the House was/is going to close a lot of the loopholes that make it easy for repatriation. Gasp I think it was a Republican who introduced it - I can't remember if he was from California or Arizona though. I just remember he was from the West.

**meatwad** · August 2nd, 2004, 11:26 AM

So the Carnegies and the Rockerfellers never created any jobs so that people could work and get money for food and clothes and a place to live? I agree that the rich should pay more than me in taxes, it's only fair. Imagine my shock and surprise when I discovered...THEY ALREADY DO!

**paraflyer** · August 2nd, 2004, 11:32 AM

Kill the income tax, and go to a consumption-based tax.

That way the rich would be hit every time they buy 12 limosines, and you wouldn't get hit as much when you invest in that new Honda Accord (or whatever your preference).

**jitBob** · August 2nd, 2004, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by paraflyer

Kill the income tax, and go to a consumption-based tax.

That way the rich would be hit every time they buy 12 limosines, and you wouldn't get hit as much when you invest in that new Honda Accord (or whatever your preference).

Already do that in state taxes. Couldn't do it in federal taxes also.

**techs** · August 2nd, 2004, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by jitBob

Already do that in state taxes. Couldn't do it in federal taxes also.

Just curious. If I buy stocks will I pay sales tax under a flat tax? If not, why?

**pmetal** · August 2nd, 2004, 12:39 PM

Define rich.

Just so I have this right: I bust my butt since I was a teenager, working towards a goal, spending my time, learning and planning for my future, to become successful in my chosen trade/profession. Now you want me and my family to pay more taxes so those who sat on their A$$es, or didn't apply themselves properly can ride my coat-tails?

No thanks.

There will never be this Utopia of equality you seek. Where everyone has the same things. Work hard and you will get your just reward. The "non-rich" seem to think those with money are just "lucky". Now that may be true in some instances, ie inheritances, lottery winners etc..., but a lot more of those with money worked their tails off for it, and they deserve to keep as much of it as possible.

**Cleetus** · August 2nd, 2004, 01:17 PM

And why is it then that the "non-Rich" are always considered lazy, sit on their asses and don't work hard?

**meatwad** · August 2nd, 2004, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Cleetus

And why is it then that the "non-Rich" are always considered lazy, sit on their asses and don't work hard?

Cause I am, do and don't.

**Camaro80z** · August 2nd, 2004, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by meatwad

Cause I am, do and don't.

Dude, you are a giant meat patty. Do you even have an a$$ ?

**pmetal** · August 2nd, 2004, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Cleetus

And why is it then that the "non-Rich" are always considered lazy, sit on their asses and don't work hard?

Cleet,
I'm not saying that at all. There are a lot of people in this country who work there butts off and may not be considered "rich".

I think that's why "rich" needs to be defined.

"Rich", to me, does not always mean money. Family, friends, just enjoying life itself is "rich", but you can't tax that.

But you have to admit, there are a LOT of people in this country who are lazy, and don't work hard, and the Government supports this. For no other reason, than to get their communities vote.

Class warfare. Plain and simple. Us against "them". Why should "they" get to have all the nice things and keep "their" money? "I" want some.

Well.......ya can't have mine.