Is punitive taxation acceptable?

Question

Here in Britain, we are seeing a worrying trend towards taxes that are simply raised to discourage us from doing something. An example of this is congestion charging.

So, the question is: Should the government and local councils be able to use taxation as a means to punish or discourage?

Answer 1

The trouble with initiatives like the congestion charge is that they only use the stick. The carrot needs to be better public transports and links to the capital to balance this out. It is the same with this daft idea of a "fat tax", surely if they go ahead with this then healthier options like fruit and vegetables etc need to be tax-free. The government needs to be even-handed in its approach to these things and give "rewards" too.

Answer 2

We don't think so. However, in the USA it is done all the time. For example: If we buy a house and fix it up, we are penalized for improving it by having to pay higher real estate taxes. We get increases in value on an annual basis even though we don't realize any increase in value until we sell the house. Our expenses increase annually and we are penalized with higher taxes and an increase in value that results in higher taxes. We have cigarette taxes, gas taxes, excise taxes and numerous other taxes that are designed to discourage people from driving too much or smoking. When a person gets a ticket from a police officer for "allegedly doing something wrong", that person is penalized by fines but worse, if the person is innocent and tries to exert his right to be tried by a jury of his peers, the judge will drag the case out so that the person loses several days' work and will raise the fine and the punishment because the person had the audacity to tie up the court system. In other words, if you just "cop" a plea and take court supervision for 3 months you get off cheaper than if you try to plead your innocence (notice I didn't say prove your innocence because in the USA you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. The court takes that away via plea bargains and fines.)

We have "sin taxes", Liquor taxes, etc. None of these are fair. Today our congress has a 24% approval rating while our President has a 27% approval rating. That tell us that the Government is not listening to the will and wishes of the people but the 73% of the people who disapprove are doing little to exert their demands on government.

Maybe we should have a worldwide tax revolt and pay only 50% of the taxes demanded by the governments and force the government to live within its means. In the USA we have a Constitution and that Constitution gives us the right to give Congress and our Government only as much power as we wish the Government to have. However, until we all exercise our rights, the Government will continue to take our rights away along with all our money. A few days ago, the news said it takes an American Citizen 192 days of work to pay the government. That means that we live on what we make the other 173 days. Now that's discouraging!!!!!!!!! Why work?

Answer 3

Punitive taxes? Get the hell out of here. Republicans think of rich persons or severe earners shouldn't pay taxes for purely being a severe earner with the wish they might create a activity. it rather is called a loose journey. Any attempt to alter that without warning will become punishing fulfillment, wealth redistribution, welfare and handouts. The words "punishing fulfillment, wealth redistribution" are even on your question. seems to me the severe salary earners are the parasites and welfare recipients. permit's look into the stats for no taxes and interest introduction: final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days each and every of the tax cuts and rebates expenses $a million.9 trillion and all usa have been given became 10% unemployment. in the process the debt ceiling talks Boehner stormed out, McConnell could not understand why taxes have been even on the table and the two Republicans and Tea social gathering favored a credit downgrade fairly than pay a invoice. A invoice that must be paid faster of later. it is your funds out of thin air and inflation. That wasn't led to by making use of liberals. That became led to by making use of Republican/Conservative deadbeats searching for a loose journey and greater welfare, handouts and tax cuts..

Answer 4

Classic is the tax on fags, scandalous. I also pay a huge amount each month in Income Tax and National Insurance. I don't mind contributing to local services etc but this Government should go after the rich guys, who are so adept at tax evasion.

Answer 5

I think local councils take to much upon themselves. There only duty is to run council services to the benefit of the local population.Nothing more nothing less. Iti s not inthe remit of any councillor, mayor etc to use his ofice to voice any other political opinion outside his duties as a councillor. In otherwords foreign policy is not his responsibility n

Answer 6

Todays news warned of a tax on foods that contribute to obesity. It's getting ridiculous and obviously just stealth taxes to raise more funds for the government. As James Whale said in an interview - we can't afford our pensioners so why are we tying to make people live longer? They really are stealth taxes by an incompetent bunch of politicians who can't get the house in order.

Answer 7

Yes, I don't think there is another practical way in which to discourage some activities such as driving in congested areas or smoking/drinkng etc. those who wish to continue can do if they value it enough, and it does discourage without infringing on our right to do those activities.

Answer 8

Brits are known for taxation..BTP...Here in America they do discourage through the use of tax...tobacco tax, sin tax, gasoline tax...Government bureaucrats are paid to search for ways to add to the coffers in whatever way they can...example...Texas charges a $20 paper tax on every auto insurance policy sold...

Answer 9

Its just not on. Especially when some people dont have a choice, like the people who have to travel where the charges are for work etc. If it something that is purely choice, then it would be fairer.

Answer 10

Is raising taxes not a more effective method of controlling inflation than interest rate rises?