A New Tax System

[TastyWheat]

Hypnagogue basically came up with this idea so props to him. I think it's a good idea and deserves its own thread for discussion.

The basic idea is that the federal government may only tax the states. The tax should be apportioned (e.g. a flat tax) so that no state is treated unfairly. It is up to the states to decide their own method of gathering taxes (e.g. sales tax, income tax, property tax, excise tax) for their budget and as payment to the federal government. Obviously this would require repeal of the 16th amendment.

Under this system the federal government would have no power to control the behavior of the population through tax deductions, incentives, credits, and penalties. Lobbying for changes to state tax code could then be done more easily as state legislators are much more accessible to the average citizen than federal legislators. Furthermore, the different systems established by each state could be used for comparison to determine the best system of funding government programs.

 

[electronicmaji]

My idea for taxes are simple. Provide rights to the taxed. Specifically.


Needed items can not be tax. To need a item you must die without obtaining it. All basic food and medical care and house fit into this.

Greed items can be taxed; any luxury items that are absolutely not neccesary to life should be taxed.

The amount Greed items cost are not what should define the tax amount on it; but instead the actual rarity of the item and the income of the person buying it.

Imported Items should be taxed as well.

 

[Kludge]

^ You claim it shouldn't be taxed, but why not subsidize it outright? Have the gov't nationalize the companies and provide to the people.

 

[Danke]

Hypnagogue basically came up with this idea so props to him. I think it's a good idea and deserves its own thread for discussion.

The basic idea is that the federal government may only tax the states. The tax should be apportioned (e.g. a flat tax) so that no state is treated unfairly. It is up to the states to decide their own method of gathering taxes (e.g. sales tax, income tax, property tax, excise tax) for their budget and as payment to the federal government. Obviously this would require repeal of the 16th amendment.

Under this system the federal government would have no power to control the behavior of the population through tax deductions, incentives, credits, and penalties. Lobbying for changes to state tax code could then be done more easily as state legislators are much more accessible to the average citizen than federal legislators. Furthermore, the different systems established by each state could be used for comparison to determine the best system of funding government programs.

I so much wanted to pull a Kade on this, but I'll behave.


For the most part, the ability to do just as you propose is and always has been in the Constitution.

Flat tax is not though. Not sure if you are sticking with the common usage of that term.

"Obviously this would require repeal of the 16th amendment." No it would not.



"Under this system the federal government would have no power to control the behavior of the population through tax deductions, incentives, credits, and penalties."

Under the current system, they largely don't.

 

[yongrel]

My idea for taxes are simple. Provide rights to the taxed. Specifically.


Needed items can not be tax. To need a item you must die without obtaining it. All basic food and medical care and house fit into this.

Greed items can be taxed; any luxury items that are absolutely not neccesary to life should be taxed.

The amount Greed items cost are not what should define the tax amount on it; but instead the actual rarity of the item and the income of the person buying it.

Imported Items should be taxed as well.

 

[TastyWheat]

My idea for taxes are simple. Provide rights to the taxed. Specifically.


Needed items can not be tax. To need a item you must die without obtaining it. All basic food and medical care and house fit into this.

Greed items can be taxed; any luxury items that are absolutely not neccesary to life should be taxed.

The amount Greed items cost are not what should define the tax amount on it; but instead the actual rarity of the item and the income of the person buying it.

Imported Items should be taxed as well.

It still sounds very abusable. The tax code goes through at least a dozen changes every year. I'm interested in a system that has very little room for tweaking by the federal government. I'd favor a national sales tax (i.e. FairTax) since any change to the system affects everyone equally.

 

[noxagol]

Best tax system is no tax system at all. Do we really need government? I don't think so.

 

[mediahasyou]

Taxation is Theft. I vote no for taxes.

 

[Zippyjuan]

What do you consider "flat tax"? Every state paying the same amount? Every person paying the same amount? Or the same rate?

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Hypnagogue basically came up with this idea so props to him. I think it's a good idea and deserves its own thread for discussion.

The basic idea is that the federal government may only tax the states. The tax should be apportioned (e.g. a flat tax) so that no state is treated unfairly. It is up to the states to decide their own method of gathering taxes (e.g. sales tax, income tax, property tax, excise tax) for their budget and as payment to the federal government. Obviously this would require repeal of the 16th amendment.

Under this system the federal government would have no power to control the behavior of the population through tax deductions, incentives, credits, and penalties. Lobbying for changes to state tax code could then be done more easily as state legislators are much more accessible to the average citizen than federal legislators. Furthermore, the different systems established by each state could be used for comparison to determine the best system of funding government programs.

Came up with it? You're joking, right? I brought it up a few monhs ago, and I know I wasn't the um "inventor."

 

[Paulitician]

In theory, states can decide how much the federal government gets. Afterall, the individual states are what give the federal government power. So, that'd seem like the default plan if there were "states' rights."

 

[Conza88]

Ohhhh man, I am nearly crying here. Hahaahahahhha.

 

[hypnagogue]

Needless to say I think it's a pretty decent system. I don't recall reading about such a system, but it's hardly complicated. Like almost every idea, someone else has already thunk it.

 

[TastyWheat]

Best tax system is no tax system at all. Do we really need government? I don't think so.

The system sucks nonetheless, so we change it or deal with it until we figure out that we can live without taxes.

 

[Fox McCloud]

I say the government should auction off 99.9% of it's land (Washington DC being the ONLY exception), and auction off all the air-waves....then abolish all taxation at the Federal level, and put a 1% tariff on all imported goods.

The money earned from all of this would be put into social security (then SS would be locked down and made voluntary, as would medi-care+medicaid), to take care of our troops coming home (especially those suffering from depleted uranium poisoning)...but the vast majority would be used to purchase gold for a classical gold-standard.

the 1% tariff would be used to fund very basic governmental functions and to purchase even more gold.

Oh, and all property tax will be unconstitutional too, at all levels

Ok, I'll quit dreaming now.

 

[Kade]

I say the government should auction off 99.9% of it's land (Washington DC being the ONLY exception), and auction off all the air-waves....then abolish all taxation at the Federal level, and put a 1% tariff on all imported goods.

The money earned from all of this would be put into social security (then SS would be locked down and made voluntary, as would medi-care+medicaid), to take care of our troops coming home (especially those suffering from depleted uranium poisoning)...but the vast majority would be used to purchase gold for a classical gold-standard.

the 1% tariff would be used to fund very basic governmental functions and to purchase even more gold.

Oh, and all property tax will be unconstitutional too, at all levels

Ok, I'll quit dreaming now.

I actually like the national parks and public access beaches.

Maybe give them to the states?

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

I actually like the national parks and public access beaches.

Maybe give them to the states?

I like sex. Should we give it to the states?

 

[Kade]

I like sex. Should we give it to the states?

Do you think that makes sense?

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Do you think that makes sense?

No, I do not.

 

[mport1]

I've got a great idea for a tax system as well. No taxes, period.