richardhutnik said:
Funny thing about this. Almost everyone doesn't think they pay too little taxes on a personal level. But they feel that the upper class, rich, and corporations, pay too low taxes. A decent percentage also feel that the poor don't pay enough (over 20%): http://www.gallup.com/poll/1714/taxes.aspx
Most people feel what they pay now is fair though. That is the thing, no one thinks that they don't pay enough. The thing is that paying the government isn't something done for giggles in its own right, but to do things with it. |
The thing is... find somewhere where most people DON'T think the rich don't pay enough taxes.
Most people will think the rich don't pay enough taxes, because the rich have more then them... and it's in most human's nature to be mad when somebody else gets more... often to their own detriment.
See many game theory expeirments where a subject is told they have the ability to accept a deal and they and the person splitting it will both get money... or reject it... and they will both get nothing. When told the person has decided to give them 30% of the wealth. Most people in spite will veto the deal insuring both people get nothing. Intentionally harming themself, just to intentionally harm someone else.
The French just voted for someone who wants to raise the taxes on the rich to 75%.
I'm not sure there i a tax level high enough that people would be satisfied with permanently. (Well outside a salary Cap like Khan wants.)
Karl Marx's greatest insight was when he said a town would be peaceful, whether everybody was rich, or everybody was poor and that struggles only really come up when some neighbors end up outpacing others.
That is how most people think... although they shouldn't. Overall benefit to yourself and society should be judged higher then worrying about being outpaced by your neighbors.
