So says Slate’s Steven Landsburg.
The Bush tax cuts (which Congress just voted to extend) are an affront to the most fundamental principles of fairness. They are skewed in favor of those who already pay less than their rightful share of taxes and shift the burden even farther onto the shoulders of the most overtaxed. In other words, the Bush tax cuts are unfair to the rich.
He closes with an ironic paragraph:
But if, on the other hand, you believe that the tax system should soak the rich even more than it already does – or, to put it more genteelly, that the tax system should be more progressive than it already is – if, in other words, you are a mainstream Democrat – then George W. Bush is your guy.
Hat Tip: TaxProf Blog
Reminds me of a quote by Jake Easton (Author of the book, Americans Behaving Badly):
“The next time you question political support for business over welfare… consider the last time you got a job from a poor person.”
I agree with Bush on this: NO ONE should have to pay more than 35% of their income in taxes.
Elisa, no one should ever pay INCOME tax, period.
Well, Sharp, I’d like to get rid of income taxes, but a flat (or at least nearly flat) rate income tax would be an improvement over what we have now.
While we’re at war, I wouldn’t complain with around 20% of My income in taxes. (That’s TOTAL taxes: excise, property, sales, income, passed-through corporate taxes, …)
John Kerry Resume
NAME: John Kerry
RESIDENCE: 7 mansions, including one in Washington DC, worth multi-millions. I served in Vietnam (four months).
EXPERIENCE: Law Enforcement. In my career as a U.S. Senator, I’ve voted to cut every law enforcement, CIA, and Defense bill. I ordered the city of Boston to remove a fire hydrant in front of my mansion, thereby endangering my neighbors in the event of fire. I served in Vietnam (four months).
MILITARY: I served in Vietnam (four months). I used three minor injuries to get an early discharge from the military and service in Vietnam (as documented by the attending doctor). I served in Vietnam (four months). I then returned to the U.S., joined Jane Fonda in protesting the war, and insulted returning Vietnam vets, claiming they committed atrocities and were baby killers. I served in Vietnam (four months). I threw my medals, ribbons, or something away in protest. Or did I? My book “Vietnam Veterans Against the War: The New Soldier”, shows how I truly feel about the military. I served in Vietnam (four months).
COLLEGE: I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. Unlike my counterpart George Bush, I have no higher education and did not get admitted to Harvard nor graduate with an M.B.A
PAST WORK EXPERIENCE: After College and Vietnam, I ran for the U.S. Congress and have been there ever since. I have no real world experience except marrying very rich women and running their companies vicariously through them. I served in Vietnam
(four months).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: As a U.S. Senator I set the record for the most liberal voting record, exceeding even Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton. I have consistently failed to support our military and CIA by voting against their budgets, thus gutting our country’s ability to defend itself. Although I voted for the Iraq War, now I am against it and refuse to admit that I voted for it. I voted for every liberal piece of legislation. I have no plan to help this country but I intend to raise taxes significantly if I am elected. I served in Vietnam (four months).
My wealth so far exceeds that of my counterpart, George Bush, that he will never catch up. I make little or no charitable contributions and have never agreed to pay any voluntary excess taxes in Massachusetts, despite family wealth in excess of $
700 million. I served in Vietnam (four months).
I (we) own 28 manufacturing plants (Heinz) outside of the U.S. in places like Asia, Mexico and Europe. We can make more profit from the cheaper cost of labor in those Countries, although I blame George Bush for sending all of the other jobs out of Country. I served in Vietnam (four months).
Although I claim to be in favor of alternative energy sources, Ted Kennedy and I oppose windmills off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as it might spoil our view of the ocean as we cruise on our yachts. I served in Vietnam
(four months).
RECORDS AND REFERENCES: None. However, I served in Vietnam (four months).
PERSONAL I practice my Catholic faith whenever cameras are present. I accept the Catholic doctrine that ”life begins at conception” but will not impose it on others, therfore I am pro-abortion. I ride a Serotta Bike. I love to ski/snowboard. I call my Gulfstream V Jet the “Flying Squirrel”. I call my $850,000 42-foot Hinckley twin diesel yacht the “Scarmouche”.
I am fascinated by rap and hip-hop and feel it reflects our real culture.
I own several “Large” SUVs including one parked at my Nantucket summer mansion, though I am against large, polluting, inefficient vehicles and blame George Bush for our energy problems. I served in Vietnam (four months).
Thanks, Sharp. In theory I fully support a consumption tax as opposed to an income tax, but as always, it depends on the details. I’ll be reviewing that website.
That’s GREAT Scooter!
Just one minor correction. Under ‘College,’ didn’t Kerry serve four months in Vietnam?
😉
Bill Gates gave himself a $3 billion dividend, because he could do it and pay no tax. Anybody who suggests that this is unfair to the rich, is incapable of reasonable thought.