All told and after all refunds, I paid about 23% of my income to various governments: county via property taxes, state via income and sales taxes, and federal via income taxes, social security taxes, medicaid taxes and interest income. There are other taxes that are easy to not notice or forget, especially those on communications, travel and entertainment. Some taxes seem entirely hidden, I don't notice them and pay no attention to them. I buy a bottle of wine at the state wine store, the taxes are included and nowhere listed on the bottle or receipt itself.
How tough to have to pay instead of receive a refund. Writing that check is an extra burden. You feel as though you get nothing back, especially after the money was once in your pocket: payroll deductions give the opposite impression: you never had it. I feel for Alan and I hope he can find a solution.
In the past, there have been times when I have been furious because I disapproved so much of the government's use of my money, especially when Democrats have been in the minority and have had little input on the distribution of my tax dollars. In those times, I had only to realize that my money was going to things that I greatly approved of. Dad and Mom, soon Kim, receive social security/military retirement. Eventually all of us will receive a monthly check. Nick is on social security disability. I approve of all of this and am particularly grateful for what Nick receives. We look forward to the day when he can return to work. Grandma Haacke could not have survived even nominally without her social security and medicaid.
There are many examples: military spending, VA hospital and care spending, education, the various administrations that help keep us healthy, our infrastructure, a lot of things. I am happy and even proud to pay for them. When I consider all that I get, I feel I pay a fair price.
4 comments:
I have never been one to complain about paying taxes. I am as grateful as the next guy that pot holes on the streets can be taken care of because I pay my taxes. After having lived in several third world countries with very bad infrastructure...I am very grateful that my tax dollars are there to make my life more plesant. I don't however, beleive that BIG Fed govern't should continue to expand programs and tax higher to fund them. Big is harder to manage and waste is the risk. I would much prefer a smaller Fed govern't and let the local govern't manage much of the programs at the local level. I feel that it would be more efficient and the tax dollar is closer to home to benefit the tax payers.
The bigger any organization is the slower and more inefficient it becomes. This is true even more so for the Federal government because the only restraint on its growth is the voter, and since voters are beginning to discover that they can vote themselves a share of other peoples money, I don't see any end in sight to higher taxes and less efficient government. As I noted in my post below, I wouldn't feel badly about paying taxes if I knew my tax dollars were being spent wisely, and I acknowledge that some tax dollars are being spent wisely, but it is hard to ignore the gross waste of tax dollars that has occurred over the past half century of deficit spending. Why do our government officials, be they Democrat or Republican, so readily consume the fruits of labor of future generations for our own convenience. It is wrong and it is unfair to those who will come later.
Like all law abiding citizens I too have no problem with tax dollars spent wisely.
I find it interesting that Doug pays 23% and is comfortable with that. For those who do not understand the "Fair Tax" sponsored by Linder, There would be no federal income tax, no medicare tax, no FICA tax etc. The Fair Tax is exactly what Doug is comfortable with....23%! This is a user consumption tax and everyone pays the same percentage. The more successful who buy more would pay more actual dollars and those who buy more economical items would pay less actual dollars...but the same percentage.
I agree with Doug....23% is about right for me.
Brian, I am not familiar with this proposal. How do I pay 23% if there are not federal taxes? Are you just talking about a national sales tax?
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