The links and responses were about income tax and only income tax as an
indicator of wealth distribution.
The other taxes you mention are present and often iniquitous but utterly
irrelevant to the the discussion.
Andrew Fildes
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.soultheft.com
Author/Publisher:
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revised edition -
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On 13/12/2013, at 11:34 AM, Moose wrote:
> On 12/12/2013 3:44 PM, Andrew Fildes wrote:
>> Don't see your point. Those who earn, or have, pay income tax. Those who
>> don't, don't. Yes?
>
> I've tried to stay out of this, but it persists and it's too silly not to
> call a foul.
>
> I have no intent here to praise or blame the US or any other tax systems. I
> don't have adequate information on which to
> base an opinion.
>
> What proportion of tax income in various countries comes from income tax? I
> don't know, and unless you folks know, this
> is a meaningless discussion.
>
> The US and some other places have sales taxes, most of Europe and many other
> places have value added taxes. US, Canada
> and UK have Property Taxes/Rates. I assume other places do too. Some places
> tax other personal property.
>
> Part of my vehicle's registration is 'personal property tax', part 'fees'.
> What's a tax, what a direct fee for services?
> What services are paid for to private providers in one place and to
> governments in another? Which of those payments are
> counted as taxes? I'm not just talking hot topics like health care. I pay for
> water, power and gas to public utilities,
> officially not taxes. People in the nearby City of Alameda pay their city for
> power. Taxes? A tricky legal issue that
> affects income tax deductions.
>
> I pay for garbage pickup in property taxes, sewer to city, but via a utility
> bill. Everyplace in the US has differences
> in these details - but the totals are considerable, and everyone living in a
> dwelling is paying them, one way or
> another. If your landlord pays property taxes, are you paying them? I've
> talked to people who own mortgaged properties
> who seem to think they aren't paying property taxes. The just write one check
> per month, right?
>
> In the US, many states have income taxes, a few don't have sales taxes. Sales
> taxes in Calif. vary by county and city.
>
> Long ago, I got a BA in Economics. I took several courses in international
> economics and business. Coming up with a half
> decent, let alone good, measure of total comparative tax rates is REALLY
> hard. If you try to equate it to 'real', buying
> power, income levels, it's pretty much impossible. Doesn't stop people
> trying, though. :-)
>
> The US income tax, as demonstrated, is relatively progressive. Our sales and
> many other taxes are regressive.
>
> People on the lower end pay, directly or indirectly, lots of taxes to various
> levels of government. More where you are
> than here? Less?
>
> If you don't know, you are blowing hot air. Not just Andrew and other
> listees, but the stuff posted in the links.
>
> Moose D'Many Opinions
>
> --
> What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
> --
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