Originally
posted by
Unsympathetic:
Holy christ, i want to stab with a rusty spoon every time someone actually believes there are people paying no taxes.
Considering this entire discussion has been about income tax rates, which for nearly half of the country is zero, I'd say you should sheathe your spoon and actually pay attention to what the conversation is about.
Sales tax is an entirely different issue. That's a tax on consumption, not productivity. That's why many conservatives and libertarians feel a national sales tax is a preferable alternative to the income tax. It's the only fair way (which is why it's called the "fair tax"). You can't legislate generosity and demand a rich man provide for his poor neighbors. It's not his responsibility.
I'm not saying that there aren't some poor people that are genuinely trying hard to lift themselves out of poverty. But my God, anyone who has spent any time at all around low income people has noticed the same thing I have. I'm tired of seeing able-bodied bums on welfare because they've come to expect a free handout. Everyone feels entitled nowadays. It's rampant and it's disgusting. Again, as it was said earlier by lymz, if you keep heading towards the welfare state model, people will continue to do less and expect more. Right now, people don't have to choose between work and starving. The "safety net" will save them. So why work? Cut a couple holes in that net and all of sudden you'll see people more willing to work. Society as a whole becomes more productive.