Don’t let’em fool ya. Don’t go down the road that says the rich don’t pay taxes. Here’s a glimpse at who pays what.
First, all Federal Taxes:
That is a massive upward trend. Take a look, the first 5 bars are the total of the United States broken into quintiles. The last three represent the top 10, 5 and 1 percent respectively. This is not “share” of taxes. This is tax rate.
Second, the Federal Income Tax Rate:
You are seeing that correctly. The first TWO quintiles of Americans, fully 40% of us, not only pay no federal income tax, we actually GET money back from the government. Again, the last three bars continue to climb. The rich are paying more and more.
Third we have the Federal Corporate Tax Rate:
While none of the quintiles is negative, the chart demonstrates how massive the corporate tax is on the wealthy. Even through the 4th quintile, the tax rate is modest and stable. But hit that 5th quintile? The tax rate explodes.
Fourth is the Social Insurance Tax Rate. This is the rate that will show an upside down view. Because the FICA tax is capped at a maximum wage. So while it’s true that the rate is lower, the top quintile still contributes 42.9% of all Social Insurance revenues.
Note, when all is said and done, that the claims that the “rich aren’t paying their fair share” are a lie. An outright and absolute lie. The rich are paying far more than “their fair share”. This si what we would expect in a progressive system. This is very clear:
So, when you hear this claim being thrown around, know that what they MEAN to say is:
While I acknowledge the rich already pay more than their fair share, I want them to pay more than they are already unfairly being forced to pay. And I’m going to lie about it straight to your face. And I’m going to do that because it’s the only way that I can convince enough people to vote for me.
While I acknowledge the rich already pay more than their fair share, I want them to pay more than they are already unfairly being forced to pay.
The word “fair” there is what does the work. It’s saying that it’s not just your share as a person, but the share that you should pay as a matter of fairness. Taking $1,000 from someone who makes $30,000 a year hurts a lot. Taking $10,000 from someone who makes $300,000 hurts a lot less. You start from the presumption that it’s unfair to tax people at all, it seems, which is why you think it’s already unfair to tax the rich, but you’re missing the point of the debate if you think it’s simply about the rich paying a higher percentage.
And I’m going to lie about it straight to your face. And I’m going to do that because it’s the only way that I can convince enough people to vote for me.
It’s not a lie to say we want the rich to pay their fair share. The lies on taxes come from irresponsibly promising to slash taxes, or ask for a balanced budget amendment when we all know that deficit spending is sometimes necessary. Besides, I assume you were railing to get HW impeached for lying about taxes? Or Ronald Reagan, who raised taxes almost every year?
You start from the presumption that it’s unfair to tax people at all,
Let’s just say that I acknowledge taxes are a form of “force”. While some tax, therefore some force, is reasonable, we should work to limit the use of that force.
which is why you think it’s already unfair to tax the rich,
So here’s my rub.
You refuse to limit the amount of the tax, the rate or the disparity. The Left can’t come to me and say, “THIS is the fair amount. And after we reach that amount, we won’t come to ask you for any more.” Instead, I’m left with this wishy washy talk about “it depends”.
It’s not a lie to say we want the rich to pay their fair share
It is a lie. It’s a lie because the raising of taxes on the rich isn’t a tool to do any good work. It’s simply a populist rallying cry to get elected.
Tell me what fair is. Commit to not asking for more. And maybe the shouting will make some kinda sense.