The US government uses a definition of poverty based on family incomes FAR
below the real income level that puts a family into poverty. They put the
poverty level for a family of four at $23,050. That is less than a single
individual can live on in most parts of the USA. Even in Indiana, where I
live and where the cost of housing is very low compared to most parts of
the USA, one cannot live on that. It takes about $25,000 a year for a
single person to live at a minimal level here, and about $10,000 a year
for each additional family member. We're not talking luxury, just basic
survival that includes a safe apartment, food every day, basic clothing,
utilities, and expenses for transportation. Note that this is for Fort
Wayne; in many parts of the country, a family needs FAR more money to
live. An small apartment in some of our large cities can cost $24,000 a
year just for rent!
The government uses the artificially low poverty income definition to hide
the real poverty rate here. Using the 'official' numbers, about 15% of
Americans are in poverty. The tax laws, however, are more honest about
poverty. Those whose incomes are too little to live do not have to pay
federal income tax (though they do pay many other taxes). Nearly 50% of
American workers earn too little to pay even the lowest Federal Income Tax
rate (the tax rate is progressive, the percentage is higher for high
incomes). If the IRS says that nearly half of us are too poor to pay
income tax, then THAT is the REAL, honest poverty rate in the USA.
--
Chris Crawford
Fine Art Photography
Fort Wayne, Indiana
260-437-8990
http://www.chriscrawfordphoto.com My portfolio
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-Crawford/48229272798
Become a fan on Facebook
On 12/12/13 11:57 PM, "Andrew Fildes" <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>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:
>The SLR Compendium:
>revised edition -
>http://blur.by/19Hb8or
>The TLR Compendium
>http://blur.by/1eDpqN7
>
>
>
>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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>
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