bank secrets

[kandrathe]

On the "rubble" issue, investing in that "rubble" with every dime to your name would have been one of the best investments you could have made, the sooner the better. Postwar growth in Europe and Japan was off the hook.

I'm sure at some point the money went there.

Getting rid of tax shelters and other dodges for the very rich would be among the best possible things you could do to improve the tax code. The more the wealthy pay, the lower taxes can be on the way up. If that's what you're arguing for, making the tax system more progressive by closing loopholes, let me lay down arms right now: we are in entire agreement on that point.

If I were your beneficent ruler; :)

I'm in favor for there to be a flatter tax structure. Some progression is fine, but I would simplify the code and also make it more complicated to allow for regional differences. In terms of rates for both income and capital gains; a) determine the "poverty line", and under that line the people alway pay 10% of income. b) determine the line for "wealthy" and under that line people always pay 15%(on the amount over the poverty line). c) above the line people always pay 20% (on the amount above the "wealthy" line). The terms "poverty" and "wealthy" need to be determined by congressional district, and would be measured by the median salary, cost of homes/rent, and other consumer prices in that area. I would implement a federal sales tax of 5% with no exceptions for anything. Any other revenue generated by the government needs to be garnered through user fees, or tariffs. I would trim many major functions from the federal government and return the power to the States, including SSI, health care, education, welfare, housing, agriculture, most of transportation (except some oversight of interstate routes, ports, airports). Again, local control on taxation is most fair. I would eliminate the special deductions for marriage, deductions for gifts/donations, and deductions for mortgages. Eliminate the classification of "non-profit" corporation, but allow churches to be tax exempt.

I would eliminate the estate tax. Mostly because it destroys family owned farms and businesses. It is a nice Utopian idea to have each person be self made, however the government becomes arbitrarily punitive while the upper class are able to avoid estate taxes through various legal maneuvers. It is a reasonable desire to pass on to ones offspring the fruits of their labors.

I would set corporate taxes at zero or a low rate equivalent to the lowest rate in the global economy, adjusting for all the positives and negatives. I wouldn't want to give any disincentives for keeping jobs local.

Government employees, including Congress, Executives, Judiciary would earn their congregational districts median salary plus or minus 10% to allow for graduated pay scales. I would repeal all laws that shield government workers from laws, and repeal all special benefits given to them other than protection while they serve (and life long protection for the President). I would limit the tenure of any elected government employee to a total of 12 years (meaning that if you served four 2 year House terms, you would no longer qualify to run for a Senate seat, President or VP).

I would require States to set campaign finance limits on each Congressional, and Senate seat at 2x median salary and fund the first half. For the Presidential Race, I would set the limit at 10x the median US salary and fund the first half. I would eliminate all political advertising on corporate radio and television. All the SPAM and junk mail laws apply to politicians as well. I would eliminate PAC's. I would require all fund raising to remain within the represented geographic boundaries (no more RNC, DNC, or billionaires buying seats in other districts, states, nations), and no contribution can exceed $1,000.

Finally, I would add an amendment that would prevent the government from intentionally spending more than it raises in revenue. At certain times of crisis (war or economic), the government may be allowed to borrow money (with a hard and fast plan for repayment).

That's off the top of my head, I'm sure I might have a few other idea as well if I pondered about it longer. Some of these are markedly controversial positions for "a libertarian", but in seeing how things like say advertising are perverted and corrupted by the market it seems best to separate State interests from corporate media. My idea of fair taxation is not to grow a basket of government services, then distribute the cost in what some people think is fair and borrow the remainder. My idea is to set a very limited number of necessary federal services, and limit taxes to what is fair.