Saturday, May 7, 2011

Tax the rich...

The classist "tax the rich" meme does little constructive but fulfill the "envy/covetousness" bucket for some folks. The money one takes is usually the very same money used directly and indirectly (see mortgages and credit) to fund small business, innovation, and private ventures (like buying homes).

Taxes should not be used as a tool of social policy, as they are clumsy and frequently result in counterproductive results ("screw you, I'll move", among others). Use'm for their given purpose, revenue, and it fouls up an economy with weird contortions rather less.

At a federal level, I favor a flat tax with a floor of "poverty level x2.5" and that's 'cause I'm basically a softie that figures that anyone who's income is below that level has a life that sucks sufficiently that additional kicking is not required.

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