Comments on: The Income Tax System is Broken

43 Percent Of Americans Pay No Federal Income Tax, A Sign That Something's Wrong, Writes Declan McCullagh

[HankSlick]

"Any salary under 40K should be totally tax free at state and federal levels. "

Are you kidding!? That's parasitic and unfair. You should be deported. If someone can't make more than $40k a year that's their own problem. Why should someone who pays for and completes a higher education program and works a 9-5 just like the sub $40k guy have to pay taxes when they don't? Pay should be treated universally... Higher skillsets should come with higher salaries, but not higher taxes.

Guy A doesn't finish highschool or doesn't attend college and makes $35k/yr.
Guy B pays out of pocket or takes loans to attend college for 4 years (while Guy A is making a full time income), comes out of school with debt and a $55k/yr job.

Why should Guy B have to pay taxes where Guy A shouldn't?!

And yeah, some CEOs misuse their power and accept bonuses, but the MAJORITY of CEOs out there are struggling and although highly compensated, are still trying to keep their organizations afloat and their people employed.

[AdAgencyOwner]

My husband and I are small business owners. I have a small ad agency, he is a chiropractor. How come those people who take the biggest risks (those who choose to open a business) get hit with the largest penalties? I have to pay extra taxes for my employees, get whacked with huge taxes for "income" that I never saw, and am paying $50,000 in taxes this year on a take home salary (pre-tax) of $124,000 for BOTH OF US.

Whoever wrote that no one making under 40K should not be taxed is insane. Why should I pay for YOU to get roads, schools, police, unemployment and so much more when I'm the one busting my butt to make so little??? I work the hardest, I'm the first one not to take a paycheck if money is short in the office, and you want a free ride???

I pay way more than my fair share, and it's time for everyone else to do the same. If we had a national flat tax, I would be willing to pay more. No more writeoffs or deductions. Everyone pay the same tax for every item they buy. Could not be simpler. Right now even my own accountant can't clearly explain the screwed up system and why we are getting abused. It's time for a major overhaul or you'll be seeing a lot more small business owners throwing in the towel. Today, I'm really, really temped to give up and just take welfare.

[12gage4granny]

the tax-supported federal enterprise.....

Beam me up Scotty ,,,errr O'bomba
LOL

[cbs_tom]

Any salary under 40K should be totally tax free at state and federal levels.
Posted by GGAllin666 at 7:14 AM : Apr 15, 2009

Why? Do you not use public roads? Breath air? and gain from the protection and liberties of your country?

[12gage4granny]

1) Please read the Buck Act
2) Understand America is broke
3) There is a monitatry money system in place
4) The federal reserve is privately owned
5) The stuff that we use called money IS NOT MONEY !
6) It is not money because it is NOT BACKED BY GOLD OR SILVER
7) The PROPER NAME for it is NOTE"S
8) Doe's any of these NOTE'S have any printed words?
Silver Certificate, or Gold Certificate? NO THAY DO NOT
But it does say in bold print all cap letters ...
"THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
8) Public Debt = The United States government debt, commonly called the "public debt" or the "national debt", is the amount of money owed by the federal government of the United States to holders of U.S. debt instruments. Debt held by the public is all federal debt held by states, corporations, individuals, and foreign governments, but does not include intragovernmental debt obligations or debt held in the Social Security Trust Fund. Types of securities held by the public include, but are not limited to, Treasury Bills, Notes, Bonds, TIPS, United States Savings Bonds, and State and Local Government Series securities. ( Does this sound Familleir ) TARP MONEY (i smell a rat)
9) Do you have a E.I.N. or T.I.N. or S.S.N. ? if you do than you have a contract with the GOV. These are all volentary. Dont let the GOV. fool you. and SCREW the patreact. That is against THE CONSITUITION !
10) When was the last time you read The Consituition and your State Consititution?
11) PRIVATE DEBT = Money owed by individuals and businesses within a given country.
12) Government Debt vs Private Debt look at this site.
http://wfhummel.cnchost.com/comparedebt.html

NO TAXATION WITH OUT REPESINTATION !
GRANNY

[cbs_tom]

A flat tax is the only "fair" tax. The rich or wealthier will still always pay more in taxes. The 43% that pay no taxes will also have the great honor of investing in their great nation. The money that we speak of is that of the American citizens. The Federal government is to be an asset of the people of this fine nation and not a tyrant. They should only receive the amount of money through taxes to accomplish the goals set forth by the citizens. They do not rule our nation, but serve it. And, they are well paid with the option to give themselves raises.
In some cases, they should be thankful that it is only tea being thrown into the sea!

We as a nation need to become less polarized and work together to become a great light before the world. Not to rule it, but to be an example of truth, justice, and liberty for all.

[grabandgo]

THE REST OF US WILL GET A TAX REDUCTION THIS YEAR THANKS TO


PRESIDENT OBAMA.
Posted by pythoncharly at 7:24 AM : Apr 15, 2009

Next year we will pay more

[maistir]

Paying the piper should come with the power to call the tune.

Instead of reforming the tax system, let the weight of one's vote be based on one's tax-share. Now there is a really radical proposal. Those who pay no taxes are the wards of the taxpayers and should be treated well, but should have a minimal say in running the tax-supported federal enterprise.....

[sogaman]

A National Sales Tax would end a lot of BS with the tax code in this country. The current code leaves the rich richer, the poor not only not paying taxes but getting refunds for taxes they never paid and people like me paying 46% thats right 46% of what I earn in taxes by the time I am done, look at the list the middle class must now pay-property tax, car tag tax, sales tax (going up another 1% where I live), income tax, SS tax, medicare tax, State tax, extra FCC taxes on phones, hidden taxes on everything you buy, water/sewer taxes, trash pick up taxes, on and on the list goes. Throw in the costs I pay for medical insurance which is threw the roof because there is a hidden "tax" in it to help pay for indigent care and if you set down as I have it comes to 46%. All this for less and less service from government because they must cut back. A sales tax would at least spread the tax burden to all, end tax breaks for rich and poor, and get the middle class back on their feet-this all makes sense so it will not happen but its a nice thought.

[tusweca]

By definition refund is: to give back or restore (esp. money); repay. It's impossible to get a "refund" if you haven't paid anything (just go to a store and ask for a refund on something you didn't purchased and see what happens), that's what makes what the government is doing a hand-out. It isn't Liberal or Conservative, it's common sense. I'm all for helping the less fortunate, not the lazy.

[ononotagain]

In order to "make" a liberal, you need 2 major ingredients: superior intelligence and moral high ground. At least, that's what many liberals THINK they have -- which is obvious as they lecture the rest of us on how we should live -- i.e. the Gores, Kennedys, Edwards, Pelosis and Obamas of this world.

Look at a few of those names -- and consider how they live their lives, both morally and economically. Can you spell hypocrite?

Unfortunately, the disadvantaged buy into all of this phony morality, thus voting for the people who are supposed to make their lives better. If you dissect a social program, you'll find more $$ wasted because of political strings than $$ that actually goes to help the supposed target.

Tea parties are not a joke. They're a form of protest from many people who have never engaged in a public demonstration in their lives. This is not a partisan effort -- it's a statement against the political poison that is killing this country.

I find it laughable that people who consider themselves "liberal" would scorn someone for expressing their viewpoint.

Like I said -- hypocrites!

[valh1]

tomanyt, that would make way too much sense! A flat tax system has been proven to be a success and I think politicians want to keep it complicated. Purely for political gain, of course, so they can pit us against each other.

[JpFromOH]

"Why not charge everyone a 15% tax rate regardless of your income level? "

Because this would be too easy for the idiots in Washington to INCREASE

[julesarcher1]

In return for VOTES, the Democratic party has seen to it that half the country pays no taxes while the other half pays their freight for them. Sounds like the Democrats doesn't it?

Mad yet, America?
Posted by TexGEOas at 6:19 AM : Apr 15, 2009


The current tax system, the one into which you are paying on this tax day, is the result of the Bush administration and a Republican congress.

If you have a problem with Democrats, that's fair. But today, April 15, 2009, you are paying taxes based on tax laws put in place by Bush and Republicans.

So are you really upset about this story and its cause or do you just want to bash Democrats?

[BRndl]

The basic concept that our tax system is broken is, I believe, correct. Too many Americans do not pay taxes of any kind. Additionally, there is this vast underground cash economy that is never even reported. The only absoutely fair tax is a Federal sales tax. I suspect that number could be a low as 5% when you consider the billions in cash that, for instance, are spent on drugs. Even the drug lords have to buy things like cars, food, cloths etc. Why not recognize a return on those dollars too? We would still need the IRS but only to ensure the businesses turn in what they collect. Also, if there is a need to refund some of this amount to those who are less fortunate or whose income is below a certain line, let them ask for it. However, I also believe, one must give to receive. Finally, I suspect the amount of money collected through a program of this nature will solve the National Debt within a couple of years and put this country in a position that it will never be in debt again.

[tomanyt]

Why not charge everyone a 15% tax rate regardless of your income level?

[hwrd69]

Hhmm... I wonder how that works since I am DEFINITELY one of the ones who does pay taxes. There's no free ride here.

About time we come up with a new system that is equatable across the board (can anyone say National Sales Tax???).

[TexGEOas]

In return for VOTES, the Democratic party has seen to it that half the country pays no taxes while the other half pays their freight for them. Sounds like the Democrats doesn't it?

Mad yet, America?

[jwind1]

So, this site puts a tax story up. I tried to pay our taxes the turbo tax tim geithner way but no luck. Guess you have to be a member of the chosen one's administration for that to work.
So, it's Bush's fault that there are more who don't pay taxes and more living in poverty. Seems to me the previous administration enlarged government with more entitlement programs so I don't understand the continuing bush derangement syndrome.
Now, with this socialist administration we have people who don't pay taxes getting tax rebates. Explain to me, libs, please.
Bottom line, the few cannot provide for the many. It doesn't work, never will.
Posted by janem4 at 6:15 AM : Apr 15, 2009

ever notice the libs never offer the solution of people applying themselves and taking advantage of the freedoms they have in this country to go and take care of themselves? it is always....tax the rich this or tax the rich that.

[jwind1]

Tax the rich. Feed the poor. Till there ain't no rich no more.
I'd love to change the world, but I don't know what to do, so I leave it up to you. (Ten Years After) -- as posted by mitdgreenb at 5:58 AM : Apr 15, 2009

how do the "poor" eat after there ain't no rich no more to be taxed? -- as posted by jwind1 at 6:03 AM : Apr 15, 2009

Personally, I'm in favor of taxing the rich "the old-fashioned way"; with a peasant uprising and a guillotine.

So the rich can have their choice, be taxed, leave, or be slaughtered. It's the way social reform has been done for 10s of 1000s of years.

Let's see, the last one was Romania? Or does what's happening in Iraq count?
Posted by nancy_naive at 6:13 AM : Apr 15, 2009

and the poor still dont eat....there is a reason they(you) are poor