The only way to end corruption at the IRS is to

[mercury14]

And with that admission don't you think it's time to change that paradigm?

Ishmael

No I don't because it would be horrible for the vast majority of Americans. The tax burden would shift away from the wealthy even further and onto the middle class and lower class. Consumer demand would plummet and wealth disparity would skyrocket. The opportunity gap would become a massive problem as social mobility withers.

Every single flat tax proposal I've ever seen either amounts to a significant tax increase on most Americans or simply refuses to engage in any kind of impact or revenue projection. That's what conservatives call class warfare, a phenomenon you all say you're against. Therefore you can't support a flat tax by your very own standards.

 

[Ishmael]

Not true, flat tax.

We tried it, 4 level to be sure, but we tried it and it was an abject failure. It was called the "Tax Simplification Act of 1986." It didn't last through 1988 before congress was back to fiddling with the tax code.

Any solution that does not rid us of "Income Tax" as a notion is doomed to fail.

Ishmael

 

[unregistered]

 

[RobDownSouth]

Capital gainers pocket squat, the gains are entirely inflation. The government taxes the inflation it creates.

You cannot possibly be this ignorant.

 

[Sean]

You cannot possibly be this ignorant.

Bet you a dollar?

 

[Adre]

You cannot possibly be this ignorant.

Apparently he has not invested very well.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Not true, flat tax.

You'd still need the IRS to collect it.

 

[unregistered]

 

[KingOrfeo]

But nowhere near the size we have today. We ought to abolish the IRS and start all over.

Sorry, that is not a revenue-neutral plan, and that is the kindest thing to be said for it. How many instances in American history can you think of, when the problems of a government agency were helped any by dissolving it, and building up the same agency again from the ground? Some, perhaps, but not many. The only foreign instance I can think of is the dissolution of South Africa's all-white police forces after Apartheid was abolished, which was understandable under the circumstances; but it took time to organize and train a new multiracial force, and the interim-vacuum (among other factors) led to sky-high crime rates that SA is only now starting to get under control. And any interruption in the smooth operation of America's principal federal taxing agency inevitably would cause an interruption/diminution of collected revenues, adding to the deficit. You don't much like the deficit, do you?

 

[RobDownSouth]

Sorry, that is not a revenue-neutral plan, and that is the kindest thing to be said for it. How many instances in American history can you think of, when the problems of a government agency were helped any by dissolving it, and building up the same agency again from the ground? Some, perhaps, but not many. The only foreign instance I can think of is the dissolution of South Africa's all-white police forces after Apartheid was abolished, which was understandable under the circumstances; but it took time to organize and train a new multiracial force, and the interim-vacuum (among other factors) led to sky-high crime rates that SA is only now starting to get under control. And any interruption in the smooth operation of America's principal federal taxing agency inevitably would cause an interruption/diminution of collected revenues, adding to the deficit. You don't much like the deficit, do you?

Complexity scares the Teahadist demographic.

 

[unregistered]

 

[KingOrfeo]

We can't afford an agency that puts the Constitution and our liberty at risk. Time to start over, no matter what the cost. Some things are worse than death.

Complexity scares the Teahadist demographic.

Apparently.

 

[unregistered]

 

[KingOrfeo]

The complexity of the present IRS Code is the bane of all tax paying Americans.

Most taxpaying Americans can ignore it and go by the form-and-instructions. If your income is high enough to warrant hiring a tax-lawyer to shave off a couple of points, I ain't one bit sorry for you.

 

[coastal-boy]

We can't afford an agency that puts the Constitution and our liberty at risk. Time to start over, no matter what the cost. Some things are worse than death.

The solution is simple...no tax exempt status for ANY political group.

 

[KingOrfeo]

The solution is simple...no tax exempt status for ANY political group.

Can we add churches to that?

 

[coastal-boy]

The complexity of the present IRS Code is the bane of all tax paying Americans.

nah...not even. If you can't read or keep records...sure. But I would think someone as "smart" as you Vette would not have any issues understanding the complexity.

 

[coastal-boy]

Can we add churches to that?

Yes. Have you ever looked at all the 501's out there? Seriously...tax them all. Balanced budget overnight.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

You cannot possibly be this ignorant.

You cant possibly understand how pols relentlessly steal your money. The inflation they create printing money causes everything to cost more, and lets them tax the increase (capital gains).

 

[mercury14]

You cant possibly understand how pols relentlessly steal your money. The inflation they create printing money causes everything to cost more, and lets them tax the increase (capital gains).

And capital gains are still the ticket to tremendous wealth.

 

[mercury14]

The complexity of the present IRS Code is the bane of all tax paying Americans.

Huh? You fill out the forms. My job is 1,087 times more complex than tax forms, why should I view this stuff as the bane of my existence?

Better question, why do you? What about your taxes is too difficult?

 

[ChinaBandit]

And capital gains are still the ticket to tremendous wealth.

What is wrong with that? Are you against people making money and getting wealthy?

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Why? There's no good reason why it should not be a political and social tool.

These guys aren't even embarrassed at proving my main contention.

It never ceases to amaze me.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

A flat tax would put hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work.

Like this guy:

...

The vast majority of those workers being seasonal, i.e., part-time...

Besides, what we have now is a simplified flat tax made complex by the social justice and fairness crowd.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

15% flat tax on all income over the current poverty line guidelines. No exemptions.

Simple.

Then the current poverty line nad the definition of income become the big political footballs.

And the winners are those big enough to bribe government.