It seems these days that we continue to espouse American freedom. We also seem to seek “equality” while every day politicians push legislation that makes forgotten groups “more equal”. If you can’t take care of yourself, we’ll take care of you. And if you can do a great job of taking care of yourself, then we’ll use your resources to help those other people. This is one of those ideals that seems great. I still don’t buy it.
A comedian once joked about the irony of banks. People with small balances regularly face fees, and essentially lose money in banks. Whereas the rich can get paid to be rich. The bit was indeed funny.
But can you imagine if the opposite were true? Everyone would have small accounts, and rich people would put their money elsewhere. And then the bank would lose money and probably go out of business. So why should a country be run that way?
I believe the tax code causes many social problems. There are so many exemptions, credits, and bonuses that it is crazy. In my opinion, tax credits for married people probably lead to an increased number of weak marriages: marriages that happend “because it made sense”. In trying to help people with legitimate expenses, I believe the tax code ultimately helps to push people into making serious decisions that they are probably not prepared for. Or, if there weren’t credits for married couples, then the issue of gay couples wanting those credits would become a non-issue.
I don’t believe a flat income tax is right. I think a sales tax is the way to go. Perhaps exemptions should be made for necessities, but exceptions would probably beget exceptions. If the poorest people in the country are buying the same quality and priced foods as the richest people in the country, then they probably have other (mental) issues to deal with. I like a sales tax because my necessecities are not great. That means I can save a greater amount of my money if I want to.
Either way, our country is in a spiral of “equality”. With talk of gay rights or minority rights, I’m generally left wondering why one slate of American rights isn’t the standard. Everyone is equal, but some are more equal.
