Why do so many people have such a strong desire to tax the rich to death?

Question

I understand that in ancient times the rich taxed the poor to death, but this is a new age and retribution is not the path to progression, prosperity, civilization, or enlightenment.

I hear so many people speak of a progressive tax on the income of the rich and I wonder what makes them think that the rich are so much less than the rest of the masses. Is there more going on here than just envy? Is the purpose of a tax to equalize the economic status of the people: to punish success and reward failure? If the rich are taxed to death, we benefit less from their talents.

Is the purpose of a tax to support government by tapping a portion of the people's activities in equality? After all, if the people desire an equal say in government, and equal benefits from government, then they should contribute equally; at least, equal in an economically proportional way, but theoretically, equal in the absolute sense of the word (for votes are not weighted by wealth, income, or spending).

But why do we care if the rich get richer. What's the deal with the "poor getting poorer" idealogy? What about improving their work ethic, social skills, teamwork skills, investment skills, etc?

Okay, I have already formulated how to undermine the concept of lobbying so let's assume that such is no longer effective. So if there is no lobbying, then the equality is restored, no?

Also, how can the people properly evaluate the wisdom of any government policy when they carry an unequal share of the burden for it?

Let's not get personal here. I served my country in the Army for 8 years, served the poor in my own poverty for 2 years, and have given generously in charity my entire life (whether poor or rich). Enough said on that point .. I understand all sides.

Answer 1

Because the poor and middle class will always be able to out vote the rich. Anytime that we can spend someone else's money for something that we want, we do it.

The irony is that the poor and middle class talk about "what's fair". What's fair is getting paid what you're worth based on what you produce. What is not fair is one half of the country voting to raise taxes on the other half of the country so that they can get more federal handouts.

Again, Ironically, this is a reflection of the greed of the poor and the middle class.

Bottom line...we're all greedy. Rich, poor, and middle class.

Answer 2

Landen99,

It is all over the news the Rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. And the middle class is getting hit the hardest.

Just look at what the finance industry did to the home owners. Foreclosures at an all time high and these people will be out on the street with poor credit.

Do you see the rich becoming homeless.

There is definitely an inequity here.

We could have a better tax system but the money people wont have it because they feel that they are on a higher level.

A straight tax for the country? I don't think we will ever see it. But it would sure level the playing field.

Answer 3

I am assuming you are not asking this question to be condescending, so I will answer your question entirely.

By "so many people" we are undoubtably referring to those that lean to the left, and also the lower class themselves. Now, recognizing that people generally act in their own best interest (e.g. elderly people tend to vote against bills for education, businessmen vote republican because of its stance on free market economy), we can assert that since the grand majority of the country is either lower-classed or lower-middle classed liberals (albeit a third of these do not vote) that they will support the taxing of those other than themselves. That is the simple, obvious answer.

However, if you're looking for a deeper answer, perhaps consider that if congress was looking to make, oh i don't know, 100 billion dollars, it would have to tax like crazy. Somehow, somewhere, taxes would be made to someone. Lets say that we want to tax everyone the same. 5% of their income a year, or something. The poor need all the money they can get, but the rich, well, 5% is nothing, and the government recognizes that they can definitely do better than 5%, and ultimately, the rich, which account for the top 9% of the country's population, being taxed only 7% would contribute more than all the poor taxed 15%.

I would also like to pose the reverse question to you, because it in fact does go both ways. Many rightists are very adament about taxing the poor and giving tax cuts to the rich, and also to corporations. Surely, you must've noticed this in the news. So, "Why do so many people have such a strong desire to tax the poor to death?"
You don't have to answer. The answer is the same as the original answer I gave you. Self-interest. I admit, I'm offended by the notion of lower taxes for the rich, because it seems to me, and i am definitely of an upper-class persuasion myself, the rich can take the hit. So I'm not saying "Tax the rich until they're poor" That type of nonsense is for communists. But I definitely think that those who can afford to be taxed more should be. We're all subject under the same system, a system which is supposed to attempt fairness. In the spirit of capitalism you might argue that if the poor don't want to be taxed so much, they should just be rich. However, we all know it isn't that easy.

Also, you mentioned "equality". Of course, your logic is sound. The rich should be taxed the same under this complete argument, yet you missed one important concept. Lobbying. Lobbying is an extremely powerful tool that is used mainly by the rich. Interest groups can be formed by coalitions of the poor, but big business and money itself tends to change the course of politics much more than a meager vote. So, with this in mind, since the rich gain so much from this system, should they not be accordingly taxed? It isn't a punishment. It's an utter necessity to prevent the rich/poor disparity gap from widening even further.

Don't you agree?

If you still struggle with my argument, you might seek to make a rebuttal. You just might say that the rich can funnel their money back into their businesses and economies to create job opporunities for the poor and the middle-classed. My retort then would be "Show me some data that represents how often that happens."

Thank you for your intriguing question! I hope I was able to help.

Answer 4

I think this is funny..lol. Give me more you poor people..lol.
Think about were rich people get their money? The rest of the citizens in the country. The really rich people don't work. The interest they making off the working American makes taxes funny. If you would stop and think beyond your greed you would understand why you are in that position. Because the American Citizen put you there. There isn't one person that can not be replaced at any job. You will never go to war and citizens die for you everyday, so you can live the best life in this world. US citizens don't realize how great we have it. Go visit another country and then come back and complain. Big babies, make me sick with your greed. Be thankful for the position you have in life. 9 times out of 10 it has nothing to do with you being smart or earning it. It depends on who your family is , how good you look, if your in liked. I could go on for days, but hey..how do they say it..if you don't like it leave and live in Mexico and see how your smarts and hard work will pan out for you. Cry baby.

Answer 5

Its an interesting debate, isn't it? I hear all the time that America is a capitalist country...and that socialism is an evil. But how capitalistic is non-proportional taxation? And how capitalistic is it if everyone seems to think that its up to the rich to provide the lion's share of the tax contributions? A sense of entitlement like that is not found in capitalistic countries. So which is it? Is America a convenient Capitalist country?

Answer 6

Well, there used to be this theory called corporate citizenship in America which amongst other things meant companies took care of their workers. Trickle down economics was part of that 'what is good for GM is good for America'.

Now, profits have been soaring and wages are the smallest part of gross domestic product since WWII. Multinational businesses are willing to outsource or hire, legally or not, people from other countries who undercut the living wage here, to the point where the middle class is holding on by the skin of its teeth and driven to 'bargain' colleges because the only ones who can afford the best colleges are the rich and those both poor and 'diverse'. For the poverty level wages corporations then want to pay we then have to pay taxes to subsidize their cheap work force through aid - which the rich also benefit from because those getting aid have purchasing power.

Our attitude towards taxing corporations and the rich, when they are the ones gaining from this situation is changing. We see no incentive to reorganize our country and its trade protections, or to limit taxes on corporations or the rich, if they have formed their entire business model to profit at our expense.

It is called self defense.

Answer 7

because the poor thinks that the rich didnt work for it
the poor want thing s handed to them
they are jealous of everyhting someone eles gets

In my opinion i think we should have a flat tax of 10%
if you make 15,000 a year you only pay 1500 a year
if you make 100,000 you pay 10000

so on so fourth

Im a republican
im also NOT rich i believe that the Rich need breaks
its not up to the rich to run the government

its not up to the rich to find the poor jobs

Answer 8

These numbers a rounded the the closest whole number but are based off of the mose recent tax info.
The top 1% pays 33% of taxes
The top quarter pays 84% of taxes
The top half pays 97% of taxes
the bottom half only pays 3% of all income taxes.
So maybe the bottom half should be quiet about the top 1%.

This kind of applies, and is worth the read regardless...
CLEAR EXPLANATION OF TAX CUTS.........................
Sometimes politicians, journalists and others exclaim; "It's just a tax cut for the rich!" and it is just accepted to be fact, without questioning it But what does that really mean?

Just in case you are not completely clear on this issue, the following might help. Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand.

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until on day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. What about the other six men, those paying the tab? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. "I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!" "Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!" "That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!" "Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.


David R. Kamerschen, PhD
Professor of Economics
University of Georgia

P.S.
That is only for Federal income tax. Now imagine all of the other taxes that the rich would pay. Such as property taxes, any excise taxes (sin taxes and gas tax), the death tax, state income tax, local income tax, social security, medicare income tax, sales tax, and taxes on capital gains from investments. It starts to add up quickly.

Answer 9

Excuse me, your statement is moronic and not truthful on it's face.

The rich have gotten 2 Tax cuts while Bush is cutting the Veterans Hospitals by 100 BILLION, the poor, the elderly, children and disabled!!

How can it be equal when the rich steal from the poor.

Like Leona Helmsley said: "Only the little people pay taxes"!

Go back to school or something!

Answer 10

It's simple double speak...."sounds" good for the politicians to declare that they will increase the tax on the rich yada yada...so for the regular folks that aren't taking the time to check it out it sounds like..." they are going to increase the tax on the rich and not me"...When in reality if you keep on taxing the corporation that provide jobs to Americans by the way...demand ridiculous wages for simple jobs...why would the "rich" or a corporation stay in the US? They could easily move production to Mexico or Asia.