Progressive tax rates - comes from 16th Constitutional Amendment which was created by Republican Nelson Aldrich.
Occupy Wall Street Fail
- Thread starter Locutus
- Start date
16th Amendment
In 1895, in the Supreme Court case of Pollock v Farmer's Loan and Trust (157 U.S. 429), the Court disallowed a federal tax on income from real property. The tax was designed to be an indirect tax, which would mean that states need not contribute portions of a whole relative to its census figures. The Court, however, ruled that the tax was a direct tax and subject to apportionment. This was the last in a series of conflicting court decisions dating back to the Civil War. Between 1895 and 1909, when the amendment was passed by Congress, the Court began to back down on its position, as it became clear not only to accountants but to everyone that the solvency of the nation was in jeopardy. In a series of cases, the definition of "direct tax" was modified, bent, twisted, and coaxed to allow more taxation efforts that approached an income tax.
Finally, with the ratification of the 16th Amendment, any doubt was removed. The text of the Amendment makes it clear that though the categories of direct and indirect taxation still exist, any determination that income tax is a direct tax will be irrelevant, because taxes on incomes, from salary or from real estate, are explicitly to be treated as indirect. The Congress passed the Amendment on July 12, 1909, and it was ratified on February 3, 1913 (1,302 days).
In 1895, in the Supreme Court case of Pollock v Farmer's Loan and Trust (157 U.S. 429), the Court disallowed a federal tax on income from real property. The tax was designed to be an indirect tax, which would mean that states need not contribute portions of a whole relative to its census figures. The Court, however, ruled that the tax was a direct tax and subject to apportionment. This was the last in a series of conflicting court decisions dating back to the Civil War. Between 1895 and 1909, when the amendment was passed by Congress, the Court began to back down on its position, as it became clear not only to accountants but to everyone that the solvency of the nation was in jeopardy. In a series of cases, the definition of "direct tax" was modified, bent, twisted, and coaxed to allow more taxation efforts that approached an income tax.
Finally, with the ratification of the 16th Amendment, any doubt was removed. The text of the Amendment makes it clear that though the categories of direct and indirect taxation still exist, any determination that income tax is a direct tax will be irrelevant, because taxes on incomes, from salary or from real estate, are explicitly to be treated as indirect. The Congress passed the Amendment on July 12, 1909, and it was ratified on February 3, 1913 (1,302 days).
Is that not the case already? Even the very poor pay taxes that are included in the price of goods and services they purchase.
This is a great idea as long there are no deductions allowed for anything. The biggest forseeable problem with a flat-tax iunder the present system is that the wealthy can accumulate so many deductions so as to have an taxable income at or below poverty.
Now to address the 'progressive' structure some are whining about. Our system although proported to be progressive actually becomes regressive in a hurry. A family with an income below the median will use a larger percentage of that income on the various sales taxes and government fees than a wealthy person. For example look at vehicle registration or driver's lisence renewal. Look at gas taxes or any other value added tax.
The rich are getting unfairly hit with a double whammy when they are paying more than their fair share of income tax. As they likely buy more consumer goods (unless they are hoarders) hence paying more in consumer taxes not to mention on top of that supporting things like employment. It's a moronic mentality that supports taxing the rich simply because they are rich. Time the rest of us get more efficient and for the Gov't to get more efficient and quit squandering on chopper rides! :lol:
Occupy Vancouver’s $1-million price tag
Thanks douchebags.
VANCOUVER — It appears the five-week-long Occupy Vancouver protest cost taxpayers nearly $1-million, mostly in overtime costs for police and engineering staff.
A report sent to Vancouver city council Monday by city manager Penny Ballem and her deputy, Sadhu Johnston, puts the cost of the protest at $981,103 as of Dec. 15.
The largest expenditure was on policing at $590,000, with more than half of that spent in the first few days of the protest. About 5,000 citizens rallied in the downtown core on Oct. 15, the first day of the protest.
more
Occupy Vancouver protest cost taxpayers almost $1-million | News | National Post
Thanks douchebags.
VANCOUVER — It appears the five-week-long Occupy Vancouver protest cost taxpayers nearly $1-million, mostly in overtime costs for police and engineering staff.
A report sent to Vancouver city council Monday by city manager Penny Ballem and her deputy, Sadhu Johnston, puts the cost of the protest at $981,103 as of Dec. 15.
The largest expenditure was on policing at $590,000, with more than half of that spent in the first few days of the protest. About 5,000 citizens rallied in the downtown core on Oct. 15, the first day of the protest.
more
Occupy Vancouver protest cost taxpayers almost $1-million | News | National Post
... So, you'd have no problem then if that $1 million was taken out of the Insite budget?
So you think picking a random item to pull off the budget line makes any sense?
Food, and other essential items have no tax on them in most states. Paying a tax on something you want rich or poor is perfectly all right, some will just have to save a while or do without. (A Rolls Royce or what ever car you may like is just a dream for most)
It's not random.
I was interested in hearing all of your reasons why the focus should be on the corps and high net worth individuals.
Our government is way too big. Way too big and these entitlement programs are off the charts and being abused in an alarming amount.
Someone mentioned food stamps are on the rise. Why not... its free money. Food Stamp cards (SNAP Cards) are being sold 50 cents on the dollar for cash all over this country. Stories abound of fraud... a millionare still collecting food stamps... selling SNAP Cards on Ebay and Craigslist. The US Government lost $753 Million in food stamp fraud last year.
And welfare benefits... or EBT Cards. Massachusetts residents were using EBT cards in Hawaii, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Orlando Florida (Disney World), etc. Millions and millions of welfare money being spent on vacations.
Don't get me started on PORK. Hundreds of millions wasted each year on foolish projects, studies, etc.
And yes... corporate bail outs and corporate welfare. All this baloney has to stop.
Someone mentioned food stamps are on the rise. Why not... its free money. Food Stamp cards (SNAP Cards) are being sold 50 cents on the dollar for cash all over this country. Stories abound of fraud... a millionare still collecting food stamps... selling SNAP Cards on Ebay and Craigslist. The US Government lost $753 Million in food stamp fraud last year.
And welfare benefits... or EBT Cards. Massachusetts residents were using EBT cards in Hawaii, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Orlando Florida (Disney World), etc. Millions and millions of welfare money being spent on vacations.
Don't get me started on PORK. Hundreds of millions wasted each year on foolish projects, studies, etc.
And yes... corporate bail outs and corporate welfare. All this baloney has to stop.
From a government perspective, I would say that size is a symptom of the problem.
The real problem is that government is spending on things that may harm the economy. In some instances, people need help and there is nothing else you can do. But, yes, it remains to be seen if bail outs are worth it.
Sure some people need help. But then there are others who are abusing the system. And when they get caught... they still get benefits.
Hunger in the U.S....lmao. We need the Fire Department to pry some of our poor out of their apartments and bed because they are morbidly obese.
Oh and the guy that wants to live as a baby and recieves welfare so he can maintain is infantile lifestyle. He won his case and is now going to sue the state that dared try and take his benefits away.
While you make a good presentation, I suggest that foreign wars and the military industrial complex should be included in that priority removal listing.
Keep in mind that the military industrial complex employees 100's of thousands of workers and is the main source of our technology (good or bad). I would continue to let them do their thing.
I wonder if they will adopt the tactics of the 1812 campaign against the White House. When it got cold out the war was taken to the taverns. The drunks spilled the beans and the rest is history.
If mandatory drug-testing to work in a dry-camp then elected officials should have to submit to a weekly test in that their value to society is so much greater their soberness should also be that much greater. Lead by example in this case.
Technology would survive even if the scraps we get are based on building a bigger and better bomb, in $ecret as much as po$$ible. Without the cost of war (or preparation for one that never gets fought). In fact it might even be a busier time for mankind if using the energy that oil has to reshape the fields that grow our food into fields that are flood/drought resistive and permanent dry areas are designed in for a flood that has minimal impact on an area and the harvest of food is offset by a month at best rather than being ruined for a whole year and the hardships that come with that.
Our auto/industrial sector should have all the basic components of a car be totally interchangeable with one another. The graphic design of a wheel can be determined by the builder, the bolt pattern is set by a public standard so wheels from any make will fit another vehicle of similar size. If that was just applied to wheels and brakes the cost of servicing them (standard on NASCAR racing late 1960's) then a completed brake overhaul (including anti-skid) would be about $100/vehicle instead of $500/corner.
Without the cost of the war machine the technology might be higher than it is in an open market where users are allowed to make 'improvements' as long as he shares how he did it. It could turn out that the sidetrack of war has been keeping us closer to all being 'Yugo' users than what is promoted. The energy supply comes with you plate renewal and that $70 tab is your fuel bill for the whole year. Yogo plates are pennies/year, the Ferrari with Hummer tires would run you a few dollars more.
When you have a society that can feed &cloth itself and then have free time that doesn't mean they have nothing to do, that free time is used to do things you didn't have time for when you were making everybody a set of shoes to wear.
If mandatory drug-testing to work in a dry-camp then elected officials should have to submit to a weekly test in that their value to society is so much greater their soberness should also be that much greater. Lead by example in this case.
Technology would survive even if the scraps we get are based on building a bigger and better bomb, in $ecret as much as po$$ible. Without the cost of war (or preparation for one that never gets fought). In fact it might even be a busier time for mankind if using the energy that oil has to reshape the fields that grow our food into fields that are flood/drought resistive and permanent dry areas are designed in for a flood that has minimal impact on an area and the harvest of food is offset by a month at best rather than being ruined for a whole year and the hardships that come with that.
Our auto/industrial sector should have all the basic components of a car be totally interchangeable with one another. The graphic design of a wheel can be determined by the builder, the bolt pattern is set by a public standard so wheels from any make will fit another vehicle of similar size. If that was just applied to wheels and brakes the cost of servicing them (standard on NASCAR racing late 1960's) then a completed brake overhaul (including anti-skid) would be about $100/vehicle instead of $500/corner.
Without the cost of the war machine the technology might be higher than it is in an open market where users are allowed to make 'improvements' as long as he shares how he did it. It could turn out that the sidetrack of war has been keeping us closer to all being 'Yugo' users than what is promoted. The energy supply comes with you plate renewal and that $70 tab is your fuel bill for the whole year. Yogo plates are pennies/year, the Ferrari with Hummer tires would run you a few dollars more.
When you have a society that can feed &cloth itself and then have free time that doesn't mean they have nothing to do, that free time is used to do things you didn't have time for when you were making everybody a set of shoes to wear.
Ron Paul is now the leading candidate among the Republicans. True libertarians have always pledged to dissolve the military industrial complex. Hopefully, he will stand by principle and do it. Then he will allow private industry to advance science and create employment without government money.
Which brings to mind yet another OWS failing - its failure in pointing out the principle I have just told you. To his credit, Paul has endorsed the OWs movement and calls it ''healthy''. However, it the movement had just a little more sense and pointed out its consistency with his principles, he would have taken the forefront of the movement and it would not have failed as it did.
VIDEO: Ron Paul Defends Occupy Wall Street - Amherst, NH Patch
Ron Paul will not win the Republican nomination for President. He is just moving up by default.
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Three national polls released Wednesday showed Newt Gingrich ahead of Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, who has snatched a firm third-place position in every national survey since Herman Cain suspended his campaign.
Ron Paul Snatches Third in National Polls - TheStreet
Ron Paul 2012: New National Poll is Reality Check After Iowa Upset - International Business Times
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Three national polls released Wednesday showed Newt Gingrich ahead of Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, who has snatched a firm third-place position in every national survey since Herman Cain suspended his campaign.
Ron Paul Snatches Third in National Polls - TheStreet
Ron Paul 2012: New National Poll is Reality Check After Iowa Upset - International Business Times