We had roads, bridges, schools, an army, navy, marines, and coast guard... All before the federal income tax.

I also don't understand why in the age of the internet we are still constructing brick and mortar buildings... Filling them with desks, lockers, textbooks, heat/ac units, paying janitors and maintenance personnel, and buying multiple buses/school vehicles, and paying ungodly salaries for superintendents and principals... Not to mention the athletic stadiums with bleachers, scoreboards, and all that garbage.

Now, I don't believe there is a way to have public education without having some way to pay for it... But we could eliminate millions/billions in worthless overhead... This isn't 1950 anymore. We can find a more cost effective way to do it with the tools we have.

But I can guarantee you someone will chime in and whine that without a building to send their kids to, there will be no one to watch them because both parents work. Well, boo-hoo. I guess I'm supposed to keep paying more and more taxes to support your public daycare.

My wife is actually mayor of our town. And after seeing all the shenanigans that happen at the local level... Corruption, waste, downright theft... I can only imagine what goes on in the den of vipers in DC where they're thousands of miles away from their constituents and answer only to themselves.

But go ahead and believe that sending the same amount, or more, in taxes to these clowns is going to fix anything.

Slash it down to bare bones.

Mike

"State Pension Liabilities
State pension liabilities across the United States are a significant concern, with nearly $7 trillion in unfunded pension liabilities reported as of 2023. According to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), these liabilities pose serious risks to state finances. The liabilities average nearly $21,000 per person nationwide."

Good luck getting out of these!

We had roads, bridges, schools, an army, navy, marines, and coast guard... All before the federal income tax.

I also don't understand why in the age of the internet we are still constructing brick and mortar buildings... Filling them with desks, lockers, textbooks, heat/ac units, paying janitors and maintenance personnel, and buying multiple buses/school vehicles, and paying ungodly salaries for superintendents and principals... Not to mention the athletic stadiums with bleachers, scoreboards, and all that garbage.

Now, I don't believe there is a way to have public education without having some way to pay for it... But we could eliminate millions/billions in worthless overhead... This isn't 1950 anymore. We can find a more cost effective way to do it with the tools we have.

But I can guarantee you someone will chime in and whine that without a building to send their kids to, there will be no one to watch them because both parents work. Well, boo-hoo. I guess I'm supposed to keep paying more and more taxes to support your public daycare.

My wife is actually mayor of our town. And after seeing all the shenanigans that happen at the local level... Corruption, waste, downright theft... I can only imagine what goes on in the den of vipers in DC where they're thousands of miles away from their constituents and answer only to themselves.

But go ahead and believe that sending the same amount, or more, in taxes to these clowns is going to fix anything.

Slash it down to bare bones.

Mike

LOL!!! How many tip getters actually claim their tips as income?? Really My guess very few.

We could do just fine with just tarrifs and a Value Added Tax (VAT), and no income tax. Sure, goods would be about 20% more expensive, but you get to decide if you want to pay the tax or not. If you don't want to pay the tax, don't buy the item.

Some highly edumacated folks on here don't believe an online diploma is worth the paper it's written on. Which is humorous to me, as having gone to both a brick and mortar university and an online one, I doubt said person would have his law degree if he'd had to obtain it online. The online classes are MUCH more rigorous.

Just paid my taxes in a very rural county, limited services, 9500.00 on house, farm buildings and 200 acres.

"State Pension Liabilities
State pension liabilities across the United States are a significant concern, with nearly $7 trillion in unfunded pension liabilities reported as of 2023. According to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), these liabilities pose serious risks to state finances. The liabilities average nearly $21,000 per person nationwide."

Good luck getting out of these!

Some people are so worried about the lower 50% of wage earners being unfairly impacted by a flat tax. To that I can somewhat agree but we make our own bed.

I am in favor of a consumption tax. Zero tax on food. Everything else gets a 15% tax. Everything from a couch to shoes and dresses to backhoes and tools. EVERYTHING!! With a consumption tax, you are taxed on only what you purchase. Buy minimal things, pay minimal tax as well as the opposite.

There are drawbacks I know but this seems about as fair and self controllable as I can make it.

I think you two are sweet on each other and the constant bickering is how you's show your affection.

Low income earners don't really pay any income tax now.

Congress isn't worried about budgeting. They won't give up the power that the current tax code imparts to them.

I don't see the equality in every one paying the same amount income tax, if middle class makes 33k a year and the rich make 200k a year, just where is the equality if the 33k pay only 1200.00 and the 200k only pay 1200 , how is that worked out, if the higher value worker makes more how is this even, i

Everyone would pay the same % of taxes,,,not the exact same dollar amount.