Trump's tax proposal: raise taxes on the poor, give to the rich

[Final-Fan]

Superman4 said:

Final-Fan said:

It depends on what you mean by fair, but sure, for a certain type of "fair" a flat tax is the best way.  I'm against it because it does more harm to people than a progressive tax, that falls less heavily on people who must necessarily spend a bigger proportion of their income on basic survival.  (Food etc.)  In general, my ideal is in trying to spread the pain fairly rather than trying for mathematical equality.  But I can appreciate that people have different viewpoints on this question. 

Anyway, are you also against sales taxes on the grounds that they also take money from you that you are already paying income taxes on?  Property taxes too?  We should go down to exactly one type of tax to make sure we don't overlap the payments—that is your position? 

P.S.  I'm skeptical of 20% being as revenue positive as you suggest, let alone 11-13% being revenue neutral.  But that's really off topic so I would prefer not to get into that before our current discussion is exhausted.  However, I will add that I'm completely in favor of simplifying the tax code.  But simplification is to be found in eliminatng deductions, credits, etc. rather than the basic structure, whether it's flat or progressive. 

I do not believe we should have to pay property tax, if we own the land outright why do I still need to pay the goverment? Sales tax is fine but I dont believe in extra sales tax based on type of goods. Take Tobacco and gas for instance. A simple sales tax on all goods would be better IMO. 

But you have to pay sales tax with the same money that you also pay income taxes on!  How is that conceptually not the same sort of double taxation that you claim as one of the main reasons for your opposition to the estate tax? 

IMO it can sometimes make sense to tax particular things at different amounts, although I think this power should be used sparingly.  Take gas and tobacco, for example.  The gas tax is devoted to helping pay for the roads most of that gas is being used on and other transportation related things, but I would welcome debate over whether it's really necessary to have a special tax for that reason.  Tobacco is if I am not mistaken taxed specifically to discourage the use of that product.  Additionally, it is judged to come with a high cost to society so we tax it not only to discourage it but also to get back some of the cost that society is saddled with as a result of its use.