In regards to paying for the Iraq war wouldnt a higher tax on the rich be the best way? Like Bill Gates????

Question

Basically, what I mean is that a higher amount of tax is stripped away from higher money makers. The percentage stays the same for everyone, but the amount of dollar changes between people. Like lets say the Iraq War Tax is a fixed percentage at 5% for every American citizen's gross annual pay. The tax is mandatory for every American citizen. Even the president of the United States. So John Doe makes 30,000 gross each year and dishes out 5% for the mandatory war tax. Which equals to $1500. Which However, Mr. Bill Gates who probably makes 10,000,000,000 gross a year, dishes out $500,000,000. No one escapes it everyone is equal. Now I ask people to engage in this. Doesn't this seem right. Wont this help cut the gap between the rich and middle class? It may sound a little communist, but come on who doesn't want to be equal. Being better is not fair. Anyone have anything to say about this type of tax system?

Answer 1

Doesn't sound Communist.
But rich people are rich because the exercise more control over their income than the middle Class or the impoverished. So, Bill's 5% will raise the cost of Microsoft products and you and I will pay his share as well as our own. All taxes are consumption taxes. A tax increase is a tax increase and all are eventual paid by the middle class regardless of who writes the check to the IRS.

The concept of "Taxing the Rich" is a political diversion to cover the real issues. We need to decide what we are willing to allow the government to spend and then authorize the government to levy the taxes. And not try to fool ourselves into thinking that someone else is paying our taxes.

Answer 2

As we can see with the current economy the deficit that was cut during the Clinton years only started the economy on a downward spiral. Obama has said the money we are spending in Iraq, will go to his Universal Heath Care program, which we all know won't work. Now I realize everyone thinks that Obama is the second coming.. However, if you listen to what he says, and think about it... If we are getting the troops home... yet still using the money that we are now for for Iraq on health care where did we go... sent the apple money to the oranges... But then you say, he's going to raise taxes... Well... Now what happens when we raise taxes.. We know the economy begins to decline as it did when Clinton did it. We know that universal health care isn't the way to go... Look at the quality of care country's that use it have... It takes weeks to get into a specialist... Where as in my case 2 years ago, I was in my doctors on Monday, a specialist on Tuesday and by early the following week, I was under the knife. Doesn't happen like that in Canada... They come here. Other than having to change careers as a result of NAFTA, I'm doing pretty good right now... So good that Hope and Change are two words that give me nightmares. NObama 08

Answer 3

While under our progressive tax system, the rich do pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes, they are also better able to do so. And they are in a better position to make use of what taxes pay for (roads, bridges, etc.). And they are also in a better position to make use of the tax system to not have to pay taxes. (I'm over 50 and my wife and I have never made enough money to make it worthwhile to claim individual deductions. Meanwhile, rich people can afford two or three homes and deduct the interest they pay on all of them.)

But there is no way that they pay a large percentage of the total taxes in the U.S. There aren't nearly enough rich people for that. The vast majority of the total tax money paid out each year is paid by the lower and middle classes.

But what about the other part of your question. I absolutely agree that taxes should be raised by some means to pay for this war. If conservatives are in favor of it, they should be the first in line to pay for it. This is the first time in history that a president has gone to war and NOT raised taxes to pay for it, let alone cut taxes. What sacrifice have most of us been asked to make for this noble effort? We haven't even been asked to pay for it. Our children and grandchildren will get to do that for us.

Answer 4

has anyone listened to the president,,he ask congress to spend the money wisely and cut out the pork, this could easily put the country back on its feet in no time at all,everyone screams and hollers about the cost of war and social security and welfare, but when millions of dollars are sent to study the sex habits of the three leged horned toad,,,nothing is said ,,here a pindrop,
and why just because the rich are rich should they have to pay more than anyone else, the war is for freedom,,the war is for security,, the war is for democracy,,do the rich and poor not share these things equally

Answer 5

the rich people pay more than their share of the taxes.
the least amount of people pay the most basically, while the majority of the population, the poor and everyone else make up the rest of the tax percentage (which is not that much.) the rich are already doing the brunt of the work, while the poor and middle class do squat.

Answer 6

Rich people have been paying the highest tax rates since the inception of income tax.

Answer 7

while I understand what you're saying... some poor people are barely making it now... and an increase could mean the difference between paying the rent or not...

rich people may not be able to buy this years new Ferrari though...

Answer 8

I want equal rights and the right to be rich. I don't want to be forced to be equal with the schmuck down the street who won't get off his fat bottom.

Answer 9

Why should we have to pay just becuase we are successful????????