Can someone explain to me why its not a bigger deal that the average American pays about 50% of their total income each year in taxes?? It’s a simple question but one that’s always escaped me, can anyone tell me why the hell people aren’t furious that for every two dollars they make half of that is forcefully confiscated? Even for people who want all of the absurd government spending isn’t that much money excessive? Is everyone blind to how much richer we’d all be if we had 50 or even 25 percent more of our wealth each year?? And why isn’t a debt of 11 trillion, which only promises to increase by trillions each year, which is so suicidally high that a 10th of the budget is spent on paying off INTEREST and which means that each person in the country owes a few 10s of thousands of dollars on top of that 50% each year, a far bigger deal than its being presented as today in the mainstream… well anything???
My guess is the Salami Theory is at work here. Salami Theory states people will accept being ripped off for huge amounts if it is done gradually enough. Like slicing a salami real thin till it’s all gone.
Because the illusion has been cultivated that they own a tiny share of the corporation that takes the money, hence they do not really “pay” taxes, they simply move them from one account in their household budget to another.
But if you own 1/300 millionth of a company isn’t it kinda really sorta f***ing stupid to pay 50% of your income for it? Even if your a patriot I cannot see what woul EVER motivate you to pay such a large sum
Because it is taken out of paychecks without individuals having to write a single check to the government.
I think your conclusion is that people really are this stupid. Although there is nothing but pro-state propaganda floating around…
The worst part is that people don’t realize that all of this wealth redistribution has not increased the standard of living. The problem is that when people do realize the issue, the blame will be placed on Capitalism (instead of what it actually is: mercantilism). There will be a call to change the system, and wealth will redistributed to welfare, and the problem will not be solved. Instead, it will be exacerbated.
Very interesting. I’m guessing that everyone getting a piece of the pie now would reply, “I don’t care if tomorrow there’s more wealth in general or if there isn’t. I just want more of whatever is out there right now.”
Not everybodyis paying 50%. At any given time there are a large number of people who are pure tax consumers, where they pay nothing into the system and only take out.
The true tax rate is unknown, since it depends on what kinds of things you consume (different sales taxes) among other things.
I think that tax (and especially income tax) is a red herring in some respects. From what I’ve read, 2/3rds of the Federal budget is paid for using inflation.
I feel like there is an English term which explains this. The concept of slow ignorant death by suicide. The participation of an action that will eventually destroy the body. The body increases the consumption of the action slowly over a period of time as it appears to be benign and or (status quo). Akin to overdose of drug use.
This may have much to do with it. This may also explain why non-mega rich business owners tend to be libertarianish
Or the other way around… many people view inflation as another form of taxation. Either way its a transfer of capital.
True, true, I was going to mention Ayn Rand’s quote of inflation as a hidden tax myself. Still, inflation is even less noticeable than paycheck-witholding, because the things backing it are far more subtle.
It’s pretty noticeable to us :D. Its not like masses couldn’t be aware of this fact → wiki inflation. Just plain trust in the state… I mean if you take any set of issues most people are mistaken about the facts and could correct themselves very quickly if they just read the wikipedia article on whatever topic. Its very scary and makes pitching your ideas difficult because you have to wade through all the nonsensical theoretical crap as well as state-taught high school history.
Also I’d give salami theory some credit too.
Well for the most part people don’t have any choice. It’s also possible that you are a net tax consumer, and you know that you get more than 50% back from the system, so there is no point in challenging it.
If you get less than 50% back then you are going to get pissed off, but then again you don’t have any choice in the matter anyway.
I think that this is probably the reason, it might be an interesting subject for behavioural economists to look at.
Because those people who enjoy a good standard of living think that something must be good about this system, after all its given them so much wealth- so they keep paying.
Those who do not enjoy such a good standard of living are usually on the receiving end of taxes, so they see nothing wrong with the system.
Yeah. It’s perfect. They can fund the research with taxes;
It is a brilliant scheme. Steal, then use the stolen goods to study how the theft was effective.