TimHume_IHB
New member
[quote author="skek" date=1225947485]
T!m, how many times do I have to point this out, those people are not earning the bulk of their wealth as <u>income</u>, they earn it in the form of <u>capital gains</u>. Therefore, when you raise the <u>income</u> tax and not the <u>capital gains</u> tax, you are <u>not</u> taxing them. Please use an example that conforms with reality.</blockquote>
Sorry, man, I didn't realize you had said that. I'm not trying to be difficult, so please don't ask me to conform to reality. I'm doing the best I can -- %-P just ask my wife! As I have said before, I think however you get a dollar, it should count the same. Income, capital gains, inheritance, whatever.
<blockquote>
That's the way it currently works. You want them to pay <em>more-er</em>. So on that point, please answer my original question -- do you view tax policy as a tool to redistribute wealth? I told you that I don't, that I view it as a tool to pay for essential government services.
</blockquote>
Okay, I view tax policy as a way for the government to get the money it needs to do the things we want government to do. Whether these are "essential" or not, I think depends on whose definition of "essential" we use. One of the things I want government to do is to encourage members of society to be productive. In order to do that, people need to be capable (healthy & educated) enough to do so, have the belief they can do so, have the desire to do so, and have the opportunity to do so. I want the government to help with these.
T!m, how many times do I have to point this out, those people are not earning the bulk of their wealth as <u>income</u>, they earn it in the form of <u>capital gains</u>. Therefore, when you raise the <u>income</u> tax and not the <u>capital gains</u> tax, you are <u>not</u> taxing them. Please use an example that conforms with reality.</blockquote>
Sorry, man, I didn't realize you had said that. I'm not trying to be difficult, so please don't ask me to conform to reality. I'm doing the best I can -- %-P just ask my wife! As I have said before, I think however you get a dollar, it should count the same. Income, capital gains, inheritance, whatever.
<blockquote>
That's the way it currently works. You want them to pay <em>more-er</em>. So on that point, please answer my original question -- do you view tax policy as a tool to redistribute wealth? I told you that I don't, that I view it as a tool to pay for essential government services.
</blockquote>
Okay, I view tax policy as a way for the government to get the money it needs to do the things we want government to do. Whether these are "essential" or not, I think depends on whose definition of "essential" we use. One of the things I want government to do is to encourage members of society to be productive. In order to do that, people need to be capable (healthy & educated) enough to do so, have the belief they can do so, have the desire to do so, and have the opportunity to do so. I want the government to help with these.
