How much should poor people pay taxes?

Ask yourself a simple set of questions to support the statement.

If the ultra wealthy are taxed too much and the ultra poor are taxed too little, then why has the income gap between rich and poor grown?

The answer is simple, the ultra wealthy are not taxed enough and the ultra poor should pay less.

Ask yourself another simple question.

If the millionaires and billionaires can fight for their economic interests, then why can't others fight for their interests as well?

The answer is simple. The ultra wealthy and right wing don't want this to happen because it would force them to defend the indefensible, the US tax system.

Finally, ask yourself this.

If a person or company benefits from living and working in the US should they be required to contribute for that benefit?

The answer is obvious. Of course! Further, those that have benefited the greatest should be required to contribute the most. Without proportional reciprocity, the ultra wealthy will continue to reap the greatest reward with the least sacrifice.

payroll taxes, only ss tax on their wages.

that by exempting an entire group of people from taxes altogether, you create a class of people who have no interest in ensuring that tax rates remain fair and reasonable for workers, and no reason to care about the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of government programs and services?

i have to admit that this GOP argument makes sense to me. if you aren't paying any taxes, you have zero incentive to care at all about spending limits, deficits, the efficiency of government programs, etc. it is in your interest to vote for more spending, since you are *not* among those who have to contribute, and you *are* among those more likely to receive. exempting poor people from paying in at all i think would disconnect them from the tax and funding system in a way that isn't healthy. besides which, i think it means something to people to feel that they are contributing, even if it's just in a small way.


i think that all Americans should contribute *something,* but that the system should be graduated and progressive.

First we are going to take money from them so we can pay them as part of a social program. It would be easier and more efficient of it were never taken in the first place.

What is poor - Poverty Level - Lower Living Standard Income Level or are you thinking a multiple of these or something else?

I personally believe that people making 50,000 and under should be exempt from federal income taxes. I think the states should do the same thing. They should still pay SS taxes, and property taxes if they own a house, but that's it. The federal income tax needs to be more progressive.

there are so many nuances to tax codes. At a single address - if two people are working - each making $49.999 they can avoid taxes by remaining unmarried or maybe totally removing married status as a consideration. Where to the number of dependence come in? Blind People? Holy Smolies, we haven't even scratched the number of variations.

How about a consumption tax instead?