How about those property taxes?

[idigtractors]

Quote:
It has always seemed unfair to me that the wealthiest members of our society seem to pay a disproportionately lesser amount of taxes.

Sure, let the wealthy benefit from their wealth, but as a matter of public policy, they should pay more for The Common Good than they are.

I really would appreciate that you wouldn't say the above statement as I might just be one of those people someday. Who knows I just might hit the big one.

[Lucky2Bhere]

Any investment whether it is business, stock, or property pays tax in this country if it makes a profit. If your stock took off and you had a huge capital gain you'd sell it and not complain. If your business is busting at the seams you'd pay a business profits tax and not complain. If your home appreciates it may be a tough decision but you either sell or stay and pay.

Personally, I'd rather be concerned about the trillion dollars we're spending in Iraq than than the comparatively small community expenses in the lakes region that effect tax rates. I'm thankfull that I moved to NH from MA tax wise and my friends in NY, NJ, and PA agree.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

Quote:
.........The Common Good ........

Whenever you hear this statement put your hand on your wallet because money is about to be extracted. I'm appalled at the number of people who want more taxes, either in other forms (income) or on other people ( the "rich"). The problem is how the money is being spent people, trying to solve a too high tax problem with more taxes is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. It won't work.

[Irish mist]

Lol, stop making sense ITD It seems you can explain, and prove time & time again that the problem is SPENDING......but people just don't want to hear it. Which is why we are in the situation we are in.
________
Mazda R360 History

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

Quote:
It has always seemed unfair to me that the wealthiest members of our society seem to pay a disproportionately lesser amount of taxes.

[FONT="Arial Narrow"][I][COLOR="Red"]]

This is the biggest Democratic calling card MYTH there is.In fact,it is just the opposite.Check your facts people before continuing the democratic cry of "poor me".
Oh I forgot FLL,Judd Gregg doesn't pay any taxes.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

This is the biggest Democratic calling card MYTH there is. In fact, it is just the opposite. Check your facts people before continuing the democratic cry of "poor me".
Oh I forgot FLL, Judd Gregg doesn't pay any taxes.

just because some are lucky work hard or inherit money does not mean they should paid more than you and mine. if I bust my butt and you do not, does not mean I should pay more than you. I hate this reasoning. I do not have money by any means and still feel this way. It should be equal for all. unfortunately it will never happen that way when those that are super rich have the control and those that are too lazy to do anything, get hand outs. Now take this the right way I said those that are lazy, NOT those that have no control because they are handicapped or physically unable to work We stuck in the middle get the short end because we have no control.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by AC2717

just because some are lucky work hard or inherit money does not mean they should paid more than you and mine. if I bust my butt and you do not, does not mean I should pay more than you. I hate this reasoning. I do not have money by any means and still feel this way. It should be equal for all. unfortunately it will never happen that way when those that are super rich have the control and those that are too lazy to do anything, get hand outs. Now take this the right way I said those that are lazy, NOT those that have no control because they are handicapped or physically unable to work We stuck in the middle get the short end because we have no control.

What does this have to do with my post.I was pointing out that the Dems cry of the "richest pay the least taxes" is absolutely false.Read JeffK's post before mine.

[Ropetow]

Whenever someone from MA says that taxes need to be higher, ask them if they voluntarily pay a higher rate on their state income tax. Some year back when a citizen's initiative petition reduced the state income tax rate from 5.85% to 5.3% (I think those are the correct percentages...if not they are close), taxpayers were given the option on their state income tax return to pay the old, higher, rate. Now, with the predictions of doom from all the Payroll Patriots, you'd think that tens-of-thousands of MA residents would be paying the higher rate. Yet, the number who actually do is annually in the hundreds. The liberal mantra regarding taxes, property and other: Do as I say, not as I do.

[Weirs guy]

Here's an idea for those that believe its unfair to burden people with higher property taxes on homes that have been handed down for generations.

Lets say that when mom and dad leave you the lake house, you assume the property at its currently assessed value ($100,000 for the sake of argument). That assessed value remains unchanged for the entire time you own that property, thus eliminating any major escalations in property tax that you may or may not be able to afford. Then when you either sell the home or hand it down again, you "sell" the house for its current market value ($1M for arguments sake again), you pocked your original investment ($100,000) and the remainder goes to the state to make up for past tax bills.

Sound fair now?

[ossipeeboater]

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

Here's an idea for those that believe its unfair to burden people with higher property taxes on homes that have been handed down for generations.

Lets say that when mom and dad leave you the lake house, you assume the property at its currently assessed value ($100,000 for the sake of argument). That assessed value remains unchanged for the entire time you own that property, thus eliminating any major escalations in property tax that you may or may not be able to afford. Then when you either sell the home or hand it down again, you "sell" the house for its current market value ($1M for arguments sake again), you pocked your original investment ($100,000) and the remainder goes to the state to make up for past tax bills.

Sound fair now?

Wouldn't that be a great idea, would give people something to think about since they always want the best of both world, low taxes while there alive and the value of the property when they die.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Jeffk,
A big sincere thank you for your post. Well said.

[Mr. V]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

A bit hoary, a bit Marxist, but still worth thinking about.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

Sure, let the wealthy benefit from their wealth, but as a matter of public policy, they should pay more for The Common Good than they are.

Socialism is an ugly beast. Redistribution of wealth by Government is not how this country works.

I have two brothers. One worked all through high school, paid his way through college, studied so hard he got a scholarship to graduate school, now works very hard and earns an excellent living. The other drank beer all through high school, never went to college, doesn't work hard at his low-paying job, and makes just enough to party and go to concerts.

Shouldn't they both pay the same PERCENTAGE of their income in taxes? Why should the first brother get to keep a smaller PORTION of his hard-earned money?

[ApS]

Originally Posted by MJM

"...Redistribution of wealth by Government is not how this country works..."

Just stumbled upon this quote this morning...

"There is no force in the physical universe as simultaneously unstoppable and destructive as the implacable need people have to feel better about themselves at the expense of others."

[jrc]

"There is no force in the physical universe as simultaneously unstoppable and destructive as the implacable need people have to feel better about themselves at the expense of others."

Maybe I live in a different world than you, but the very few people I've met with this "implacable need" were idiots and universally shunned. The people I know tend to believe a "rising tide raises all ships"

[MJM]

Originally Posted by jrc

"There is no force in the physical universe as simultaneously unstoppable and destructive as the implacable need people have to feel better about themselves at the expense of others."

How sad. I know there are people who feel that way, but I sure hope it's a small minority. I feel sorry for anyone who lives their life that way.