I'm sorry, I don't understand. (This is my general response to any claims of fairness or unfairness in the tax code.)
Let's take a ridiculously simple example. Alice and Bob each draw from a well, from which they each receive an equal benefit. The well has to have upkeep, so Alice and Bob pay to maintain it. Alice pays $10,000 per year to maintain it on her income of $100,000. Bob pays $3300 per year to maintain it on his income of $30,000.
Alice pays three times what Bob does, while not receiving any additional benefit over what Bob does. Is that unfair?
Bob pays more as a fraction of his income than Alice does, while not receiving any additional benefit over what Alice does. Is that unfair?
If we can't talk intelligently about the fairness or unfairness of taxes even for such a simple case, then how can we talk intelligently about the fairness or unfairness of taxes in a system which is so hypercomplex that many times professional tax preparers can't agree on which rules apply in which situations?
We can talk about the direct fiscal effects of taxation, sure: but fairness and unfairness seems to be beyond the realm of mortal intelligences to reason about. They are emotional responses, not thoughtful inquiries.
no subject
I'm sorry, I don't understand. (This is my general response to any claims of fairness or unfairness in the tax code.)
Let's take a ridiculously simple example. Alice and Bob each draw from a well, from which they each receive an equal benefit. The well has to have upkeep, so Alice and Bob pay to maintain it. Alice pays $10,000 per year to maintain it on her income of $100,000. Bob pays $3300 per year to maintain it on his income of $30,000.
Alice pays three times what Bob does, while not receiving any additional benefit over what Bob does. Is that unfair?
Bob pays more as a fraction of his income than Alice does, while not receiving any additional benefit over what Alice does. Is that unfair?
If we can't talk intelligently about the fairness or unfairness of taxes even for such a simple case, then how can we talk intelligently about the fairness or unfairness of taxes in a system which is so hypercomplex that many times professional tax preparers can't agree on which rules apply in which situations?
We can talk about the direct fiscal effects of taxation, sure: but fairness and unfairness seems to be beyond the realm of mortal intelligences to reason about. They are emotional responses, not thoughtful inquiries.