There is a lot of talk from the Obama camp about using taxes to make life FAIR for the American middle class.

Bits and pieces from Milton Friedmans Free to Choose.

What is fair in our lives? How is it possible to make life fair for EVERYONE?
YOU CAN'T!

Is it fair that someone has a beautiful singing voice and you don't? Do we take away from their talent to make life fair for you or anyone else? How would we do that? Wouldn't it diminish ones talents for the benefit of another?

It's not fare that some people have musical talent and all don't. Do we take away their talent, diminishing their life to enhance the lives of others?

How about strength, intelligence, entrepreneurship. If everyone doesn't have these capabilities do we diminish their talents to enhance others and therefore make life fair for all?

Of course there is no way to spread their talents around to everybody, and nor should we try to.

The same goes for taxes and income, it is not FAIR to those being taxed and diminishes one group of peoples rights at the expense of other peoples rights.
Any attempt to take from one to give to another is not FAIR to either group. One group looses whats rightfully theirs and one group looses the obligation to make it on their own.

I think it's fair that those that make more pay more in taxes.... I think concretely and simply. Thus a 15% flat tax w/ no deductions is "fair". Did anyone ever notice how most state income taxes are flat taxes? I know that's too simple for the federal gov't.... they prefer a tax code that NO ONE understands.

Originally Posted by rshoffer

I think it's fair that those that make more pay more in taxes.... I think concretely and simply. Thus a 15% flat tax w/ no deductions is "fair". Did anyone ever notice how most state income taxes are flat taxes? I know that's too simple for the federal gov't.... they prefer a tax code that NO ONE understands.

The top 10% of the wage earners in this country already pay 50% of the taxes. They make more and pay more now. Not fair to them.

A flat tax is OK with me, because it does not single out one group over the other and as such is fair to all.

I like the flat tax, also, but I don't think it will ever happen. Do you think the IRS, tax accountants, attornies etc. are going to give up without a fight? It's like term limits. It's never going to happen because Congress has to vote it in. They aren't going to vote themselves out of a cushy job.