Tax Reform...

[nickshepDEM]

Which direction would you like to see the democrats go on this one?

*Senator Ron Wyden's tax Plan?
*A more progressive system?
*Middle Class tax relief?
*Flat Tax?
*Consumption Tax?

Im basically just looking for rants on the current tax system and what direction would like to see the Democrats and the country go on this issue.

[Telly Savalas]

1. Other than making the tax code more progressive...

I'd like to see a culture of fiscal responsibility in Washington where any pandering fool who blathers on about "tax relief" is forced to outline which specific programs will be slashed in conjunction with the tax cuts. If a politician can't do that, then they have no business proposing lower taxes.

[nickshepDEM]

2. How progressive?

What would be the marginal rates?

[Telly Savalas]

6. I dunno.

I'm not a tax policy wonk. I couldn't tell you how much revenue we'd need to fund a properly run government, and I couldn't tell you how much revenue any given set of brackets would raise, so it'd be rather silly for me to make proposals for the marginal rates. (I know this doesn't stop most armchair CBOers at DU, though.)

All I know is that marginal rates were radically higher under Ike and JFK and the economy did alright, and that inequality of wealth was less severe then as well. So rather than seeing the focus being on politicians kissing voters' asses by foaming at the mouth about tax cuts, I'd like to see the focus be on shifting our tax burden towards those better equipped to shoulder it.

But it's my second point that's key. If someone's going to claim taxes are too high, they need to be able to tell us in detail where our money is being wasted.

[Shortyfuse]

3. Damn Straight

My property taxes have tripled since the Rep. have been in office. They do this so that people will beg for relief and then it will sound like they are trying to help when they are really stabbing us in the back. for instance they will be talking about energy conservation methods in the state of union ( just passed energy bill) Money into R&D. Aren't they the best for thinking about that.

[AllieB]

5. Because federal aid has been cut to cities and towns,

property tax rates have skyrocketed to pay for basic services. So much for homeland security: firehouses have closed and budgets for emergency equipment have dwindled in my densely-populated state. The burden falls upon the average joe to pay for shortfalls.

[napi21]

4. I don't have a real problem with the current tax system, but

I'd like to see ALL the special loopholes GONE!

Keep the basic idea of a progressive tax with its current tiers, the exemption for dependants, a deduction for RE taxes and interest on your PRIMARY HOME, and THAT'S IT!

Corporations were declared to be "a person" so they would fall into the same tax code.

Eliminate ALL the special deductions for corps, certain industries, and every other damn thing that makes up the 44,000 pages in the current code!

Doing this would let the damn rich keep their tax cut at the top level, but nobody would be able to HIDE income. The Feds would have more than enough $$ and it would also eliminate the need for a lot of lobbyists because that's one of the big reasons they're there...special exemptions!

[Greyhound]

7. OK, I've got my heat-suit ready for quick response. I like the flat tax

starting at poverty level (no tax owed on the first $20K or whatever it is) and a flat 12% - 15% for every dime after that. No exclusions for earned vs.unearned, inherited, found, gifted, whatever. This in combination with a balanced budget requirement would go a long way to restoring the system.