VAT in the US?
12-02-2008, 03:37 PM
#3
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It's called a value-added tax, or VAT, and it's been used for decades to pay the bills and sustain the immense growth of governments around the world,
Shrink the ****ing government!!!
12-02-2008, 04:51 PM
#5
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Seems like its just creating a whole lot more paperwork and opprotunities for people and companies to try to cheat the system.
I mean seriously, they can't keep track of where moneys going now I don't know how adding more taxes in the middle of an almost extinct manufacturing base is going to help us at all, I can maybe see it helping if you are a country that actually still makes stuff... but this whole service and information economy thing we're stuck in doesn't really even make much in the way of "value added".
I think Paul is more on the right track...
I mean seriously, they can't keep track of where moneys going now I don't know how adding more taxes in the middle of an almost extinct manufacturing base is going to help us at all, I can maybe see it helping if you are a country that actually still makes stuff... but this whole service and information economy thing we're stuck in doesn't really even make much in the way of "value added".
I think Paul is more on the right track...
12-02-2008, 05:25 PM
#6
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Seems like its just creating a whole lot more paperwork and opprotunities for people and companies to try to cheat the system.
I mean seriously, they can't keep track of where moneys going now I don't know how adding more taxes in the middle of an almost extinct manufacturing base is going to help us at all, I can maybe see it helping if you are a country that actually still makes stuff... but this whole service and information economy thing we're stuck in doesn't really even make much in the way of "value added".
I think Paul is more on the right track...
I mean seriously, they can't keep track of where moneys going now I don't know how adding more taxes in the middle of an almost extinct manufacturing base is going to help us at all, I can maybe see it helping if you are a country that actually still makes stuff... but this whole service and information economy thing we're stuck in doesn't really even make much in the way of "value added".
I think Paul is more on the right track...
That makes 4 times.
I've used this analogy many times:
Mr & Mrs Smith make 100k combined.
Mr Smith gets laid off, thus the Smith Household income drops by 50k.
The bills still need paying, kids still eat food, etc.
Mrs Smith approaches her boss and explains that since her household income has declined, she needs a raise.
What will her boss tell her?
12-03-2008, 03:17 PM
#12
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Well, these parts of the article concerned me the most:
"But the VAT, on top of encouraging bigger government budgets, has another problem: Middle class taxpayers would be hit harder by a VAT because they spend more of their income on goods like clothing and cars than high-earners..."
"...The results have been fiscal stability, but lackluster growth and a dearth of dynamism and entrepreneurship."
Given the article's information is correct, VAT pretty much would pretty much negate all of the reasons why US overall has been a great country and attracted people from around the world to live here.
On many occasions I have stated my disagreement with various government and societal actions, but I never failed to see the big picture that I could not have done nearly as many things with my life if I was still back in the Eastern block. I am not sure how many people in these forums have been to foreign countries, but [for example] please go visit any of the Russian, India or Asia countries and dare to complain about anything from being able to start your own business to motorway traffic or cops. I understand that taxation is important to operation of this country and do not mind paying my fair share in hopes that it will give other people like me the same opportunities...However, it is becoming increasing difficult to justify such mentality as the government pretty much kicking about 95% of its citizens in the nuts, forgoing all logic and choosing to reward failure instead of success (I guess success is expected in this country and should not be rewarded, while failure is unacceptable and must be averted at all cause now)...
So, instead of individual, corporate and government fiscal responsibility, overhaul of programs and spending habits they will just let those thing be and instead jack up the taxation?
What is next? Additional layers of red tape, rubber stamping, and application fees if you would like to do anything creative with you talents and anything having to do with money ideas?
I have not thought this opinion through, but from my impression why VAT might work in Europe is because their societal and governmental structure and mentality are completely different. Therefore, application of the VAT here will either also result in eventual conversion to their lifestyle (universal health care and 3 month vacations even if you are a janitor anyone?)...or...spiral of death from increase in spending and taxes (equivalence of 50% income tax rate anyone)...
/end rant ***heavy sigh***
"But the VAT, on top of encouraging bigger government budgets, has another problem: Middle class taxpayers would be hit harder by a VAT because they spend more of their income on goods like clothing and cars than high-earners..."
"...The results have been fiscal stability, but lackluster growth and a dearth of dynamism and entrepreneurship."
Given the article's information is correct, VAT pretty much would pretty much negate all of the reasons why US overall has been a great country and attracted people from around the world to live here.
On many occasions I have stated my disagreement with various government and societal actions, but I never failed to see the big picture that I could not have done nearly as many things with my life if I was still back in the Eastern block. I am not sure how many people in these forums have been to foreign countries, but [for example] please go visit any of the Russian, India or Asia countries and dare to complain about anything from being able to start your own business to motorway traffic or cops. I understand that taxation is important to operation of this country and do not mind paying my fair share in hopes that it will give other people like me the same opportunities...However, it is becoming increasing difficult to justify such mentality as the government pretty much kicking about 95% of its citizens in the nuts, forgoing all logic and choosing to reward failure instead of success (I guess success is expected in this country and should not be rewarded, while failure is unacceptable and must be averted at all cause now)...
So, instead of individual, corporate and government fiscal responsibility, overhaul of programs and spending habits they will just let those thing be and instead jack up the taxation?
What is next? Additional layers of red tape, rubber stamping, and application fees if you would like to do anything creative with you talents and anything having to do with money ideas?
I have not thought this opinion through, but from my impression why VAT might work in Europe is because their societal and governmental structure and mentality are completely different. Therefore, application of the VAT here will either also result in eventual conversion to their lifestyle (universal health care and 3 month vacations even if you are a janitor anyone?)...or...spiral of death from increase in spending and taxes (equivalence of 50% income tax rate anyone)...
/end rant ***heavy sigh***
Last edited by LxJLthr; 12-03-2008 at 03:27 PM.
