Why are we giving the rich enormous tax breaks when our military & schools need this money?

Answer 1

You really are stating an opinion disguised as a question.

Here' s the thing. Funding isn't our problem with education or the military. Efficiency and accountability are.

Additionally, the rich deserve their money just as much as the rest of us. The gov't. doesn't own our money. We do.

Answer 2

It may seem counter-intuitive to cut taxes in the face of important spending priorities like the ones you raise. However, if you think about it a bit, you might consider the viewpoint that lower taxes stimulate the economy by freeing up capital for rich and poor alike. And, as you probably know or can guess, people tend to use additional money that they have on hand, either for direct needs like food, clothing and rent, or for the purpose of investment, recapitalization into a business, or other economic self-interest. Spending and investment drive growth in the economy, which actually grows tax revenue & receipts more than taxing income.

Does this mean that we shouldn't put a priority on national defense or education? Certainly not. However, I think there's a whole lot of merit to taking a hard look at what we get for our tax dollar, and whether there aren't better or more efficient ways to address the funding needs we have.

I am not saying that Bush's tax cut is some kind of magical cure-all, but I do believe that recent GAO reports show tax receipts up desite the cuts that congress passed and re-authorized, and the deficit growing at a slower rate in turn.

Answer 3

Because some politicians, mostly Republicans, believe that tax breaks to wealthy individuals spur the economy.

The truth is, while the rich get richer, the middle class and lower class get pushed lower, faster because of rising fuel costs that act as a flat tax.

If you are making 250,000 per year, and the price of gas goes up 25%, you are not going to feel the pinch. You will still be able to purchase discretionary goods. If you are making 25,000 per year, and your gas costs rise 25%, you will most likely not purchase anything other that what is completely necessary.

The problem is, there are many more people making 25k per year than there are making 250k per year. So, the law of averages says that lowering taxes for the wealthy will only have a short term effect... It is not a long term solution.

Teachers who make an average starting salary of somewhere in the area of 30k nationally, get no benefit from the tax cuts. Nor do the brave men and women serving in the armed forces.

CEO's & those that inheret wealth are the prime beneficiaries of this policy.

Answer 4

It is the Republican view that the wealthiest people are the providers of everything good in the world....they state again and again in their diatripe that "if the richest Americans are given a break on taxes etc--they will--------(and here it comes) provide jobs and expand business and etc etc etc "
Truth that you and I know is---when they get these breaks in taxes--they----live even better than before--buy fancier toys from other rich people--take bigger vacations more often to more exotic locations etc etc etc
Fact is---at a time when the spending has gone completely out of hand and the national debt has simply become a not so private joke---the richest Americans have been cut free from any responsiblity for any of this----so what we have here is-----the guy on top doesn't have to pay taxes----the guy on the bottom can't pay taxes and so guess where the whole damn thing comes for payment ??? That's right--the poor dude and dudette in the middle that are already strapped as hell just trying to keep it all simply glued together !!!!! THIS IS INSANE

Answer 5

Because the rich invest their money into new businesses and thus creates jobs. Also, even with "enourmous" tax breaks for the "rich" the "rich" still give tons of money to the government. the top 50% of people in the USA (money speaking) contribute over 90% of the total taxes to the government and the top 1% contribute around 64% of the total taxes. It makes sense plus not only rich get tax cuts, everyone does it is just based on percentage

Answer 6

Umm, they aren't getting huge tax breaks. The top 5% in wage earners pay way more than 1/2 the taxes.

And, if schools would stop mismanaging the money they receive by not doing expensive studies on the best way to teach reading, or whether or not they should have school uniforms, putting a large percentage of the school funds into athletic facilities, etc, then they wouldn't have as many problems.

Schools get something like $6000 a year per student. When you consider that each class has on average of 30-35 students that works out to $180,000 per classroom, of which the teacher gets around $25,000 to $45,000 of that. A huge portion goes to bureaucratic nonsense.

Answer 7

My reasons are here:

fiscal conservativism is an issue because they can afford medical care and to send their kids to good schools.

The military is getting plenty of money, although our soldiers are ill prepared to fight wars they shouldn't be in in the first place.

Increasing apathy among would be voters, who don't fight for the right causes in their local communities.

Uninformed ctizens who turn a blind eye and vote along party lines, without really considering the issues at hand and the consequences of their actions. Neither do people consider their powerful voice as consumers and how that might be more influential than they realize or care to realize.


Also the rich have more access to understanding how they can best benefit from appropriately filed taxes.

Answer 8

Whats frustrating is that a lot of the super rich understand very well the interconnectedness of the economy--that if you starve the schools or the military you are destabalizing the whole structure. Nobody likes to pay taxes but people are beginning to realize that its worth it to pay taxes if it keeps the value of what money you do have from vanishing because of budget deficits.

Answer 9

I agree. We seem to be depleting the funds in military and schools, but the government wants them to still perform at top notch while we give breaks to rich people. I say tax them like any other person, but give the percentage that is above the average person to the military and schools.

Answer 10

Have to agree with the above. And what's with this new Tax bill, people need to read that if they want an increase in minimum wage, the new bill says 'fine' you can have it but you have to have a reduction in the estate tax(ie more tax breaks for the wealthy). Insane. Gonna be some GOP heads rolling in November.