After about 40 years (due to interest payments) we might be. But we won't have to worry. Per Al Gore and the climate alarmists Earth will be gone. Party on!
Very true. And the top tax payers are the wealthiest. So any tax cut will benefit all who pay taxes, and it will even benefit those who pay the most taxes.
Always interesting to read the comments from Americans when it comes to taxes and government interference. I am from the old world (so a communist to many of you to begin with) and I in particular pay a shit load of taxes. Do I mind? Yes and no. I believe and I am convinced that a society has to take care of each other to a certain aspect and that cost money. Education, infrastructure, energy are things that are we cannot leave to the private market and are dependant on governments. Hell, I want my kids to grow up in a safe region and get the affordable good education they need. And they get it. What is not right? To lack of control of how taxes are used. Governments are notorious inefficient and wasteful. Still, I prefer the system and region where I live. Income inequality that becomes too big will ruin societies. It is just a matter of time.
I agree with much of what you wrote. President Trump is trying to get rid of the the inefficient and wasteful programs but the liberals (used to "giving away" other people's money) are doing everything possible to block him. Our welfare programs need to be revamped as there are far too many taking advantage. As a retiree on a fixed income I can assure you all the talk of "income inequality" comes from the richest members of Congress (Democrats) preening for their voter base. What will ruin the United States is the lack of common sense, the demand for "free" things and the lazy.
If this is Belgium, it is the size of the state of Maryland. Taxes would be much higher to support the country. Our taxes are "spread out" across the country. However, each state can institute its own taxes. Maryland had a Democrat governor who instituted a "rain" tax. He was soundly beaten by a Republican who immediately eradicated the stupid "rain" tax.
Actually its Copenhagen, in Denmark, which is a totally different city and country. but dont let your ignorance hit you on the ass on the way out...rain tax, wtf does that have to do with anything?
Thanks for being so rude. Don't bother coming to the United States with your European arrogance. "Rain TAX" is what the idiot liberal governor charged the citizens of Maryland every time it rained. The voters were smart enough to kick his butt out when he came up for re-election.
I didn't think much of Obama but NEVER carried on like the left is doing to Trump. I'm far from rich but know enough they're the ones who create the jobs.
We're running a massive deficit while the Federal Government takes in record revenue. The "Oh you don't want roads" etc. argument is very simplistic. What I want is a Government that eliminates fraud, corruption, duplicity of agency's, waste, inefficiency and most of all every Government employee should have to prove their position is vital to the running of the Government just like the vast majority in the private sector have to do at their jobs. If our so called leaders would do these things we can all keep more of our money and have plenty for necessities. Sadly this has also become a completely partisan matter so all common sense and fact goes out the window. John Kennedy, a Democrat, passed what at that time was the biggest tax cut in American history. He realized you can not kill the Golden Goose. If a Government wants to spend, the money has to come from somewhere.
Until we passed the 16th Amendment the Federal Government was funded off taxes and duties on imported goods. Pay for a border wall? PFFFFT ! We used to make the rest of the world pay for EVERYTHING. That's why I think Trump getting Mexico to pay for one thing is bush league stuff.
If you own a sizable market, you don't grant access to that market for free. We have the largest economy in the world, which makes it a very valuable market. Free trade? To hell with that idea. You want access to the American market you WILL pay for that access.
Then we can truly drain the swamp because almost all the graft and corruption will be blown out right along with the rats infesting the swamp.
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1 up, 7y,
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This kind of thing happened in Ghana some 2000-3000 years ago. If you wanted to trade with Ghana, you had to pay. However, this system did not go well for Ghana until they implemented a tax for civilians too.
This kind of thing happened in America from ~1776 to 1913. It worked very well for the USA for over a century. Comparing that success to a third-world wanna-be on it's best day is laughable.
If you are ever in need of emergency services, do NOT dial 9-1-1; call a family member instead. Make sure you are not taken to the hospital because it's supported by taxes. Oh, you'll need a hovercraft to get you to the hospital because roads are built/maintained by taxes. Interesting link: https://www.irs.com/articles/the-history-of-income-taxes
You do know that the percentage of taxes that actually go to something useful are about 2% right? Get rid of literally everything else. We can do away with a lot.
Taxes on individuals were unconstitutional until the 16th Amendment. The 'taxes' mentioned above were excise taxes, duties and import fees on GOODS. Huge difference.
The 16th Amendment made possible to levy the 'progressive' income tax on individuals and granted the US government the power to destroy America.
America did not always pay INCOME taxes, but has always had taxes. Government is bloated. These are topics worthy of discussion, but when you resort to advocating no taxes whatsoever and false claims like "taxes are illegal" even though the power to tax is specifically granted in the constitution, serious people won't even bother to have discussions with you.
Haha, life would be so much better without any taxes. But then again that's my opinion, you have yours that's fine. At least we agree government has too much
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2 ups, 7y
I'm fine with no income tax. I find income tax borderline ridiculous. However, sales tax is fine because instead of giving the government money based on how hard you work, it is based on how much you spend. It rewards people who budget over those who splurge, and it keeps the government funded because so many people are spending a lot of money.