In some ways this sounds like the GOP line- Blame the victims. It’s not wealth disparity that keeps us struggling as the mega wealthy get mega wealthier, it’s our fault for wanting a level playing field that benefits all, couched as “don’t buy an iPhone if you can’t afford it”. The working and middle classes are paying a disproportionate amount, carrying the burden of government.
In some ways this sounds like the GOP line- Blame the victims. It’s not wealth disparity that keeps us struggling as the mega wealthy get mega wealthier, it’s our fault for wanting a level playing field that benefits all, couched as “don’t buy an iPhone if you can’t afford it”. The working and middle classes are paying a disproportionate amount, carrying the burden of government.
Gail, are the lower classes paying more for government? The answer depends on how one frames it. As a proportion of all taxes paid to the Treasury, the richest pay far more. As a proportion of individual income needed to thrive, they pay fast less. Republicans use the first frame (collectively the rich pay more dollars) while Democrats use the 2nd frame (the rich pay a lower proportion of their NEEDED income in taxes [even though their marginal tax rates are much higher]). The above excludes wealth, which is treated separately from income. Why do I state all this in response to your post, because your argument, which widely repeated and true, is ignored by the rich because they have the other argument, which is also true.
In other words, we need to refrained the discussion, somehow.
That's when I generally respond with the Propublica article, outline how the wealthy avoid income tax. Usually shuts down that "the rich pay more" line.
If so, I understand. Those tax avoidance schemes are legal, for sure, but tax laws created decades ago need to be amended to reflect current economic realities.
In some ways this sounds like the GOP line- Blame the victims. It’s not wealth disparity that keeps us struggling as the mega wealthy get mega wealthier, it’s our fault for wanting a level playing field that benefits all, couched as “don’t buy an iPhone if you can’t afford it”. The working and middle classes are paying a disproportionate amount, carrying the burden of government.
Gail, are the lower classes paying more for government? The answer depends on how one frames it. As a proportion of all taxes paid to the Treasury, the richest pay far more. As a proportion of individual income needed to thrive, they pay fast less. Republicans use the first frame (collectively the rich pay more dollars) while Democrats use the 2nd frame (the rich pay a lower proportion of their NEEDED income in taxes [even though their marginal tax rates are much higher]). The above excludes wealth, which is treated separately from income. Why do I state all this in response to your post, because your argument, which widely repeated and true, is ignored by the rich because they have the other argument, which is also true.
In other words, we need to refrained the discussion, somehow.
That's when I generally respond with the Propublica article, outline how the wealthy avoid income tax. Usually shuts down that "the rich pay more" line.
You mean this one?
https://www.propublica.org/article/billionaires-tax-avoidance-techniques-irs-files
If so, I understand. Those tax avoidance schemes are legal, for sure, but tax laws created decades ago need to be amended to reflect current economic realities.
Yup. And yup.