Your Taxes

Nobody likes paying taxes. Especially new taxes. The Republican party has misrepresented this sentiment for many, many years.

The basic problem with taxation is that the government spends our money unwisely. No one wants to fund unnecessay wars, pork barrel deals and relief for the rich. The working and middle class hate taxes because they cannot afford an arbitrary reduction in income, the rich because they love their money, every cent.

Eisenhower insisted that our country pay for the second world war. G.W. Bush lowerd taxes while borrowing to the hilt to fund his warrior ambitions. Dick Cheney was heard to say, "Deficits don't matter." The truth is the world confidence in the American paradigm enables us to borrow extreme monies and we can print enough cash to bouy up markets. A war economy saved us in the great depression and ruined us at the end of the Clinton years of confidence. Our fiscal aplomb was also a cause of the great correction. A bubble based economy based on consumer debt, reckless investment and hyper extended leverage is a bad model. Yet the model repeats itself. Corporations hold more sway than the powerful military. Greed driven models always fail because they have no basis in sustainability and growth, only gratification.

Clinton achieved a surplus by slashing the military and making modest revenue enhancements. Obama so far has been a hostage of the Pentagon, the military does not want to give up its wars, the economy can't handle a huge release of military personel and our world image fades with our mock show of strength. Disiplined military would make a wonderful contribution to the work force but at this time no one is welcome. One day the working class will demand relief. Until then we will live with 10% unemployment.

Radical modifications to the tax code would immedately provide trillions in revenue. Modest families earning under $100,000 a year should pay no income tax. Individuals over $100,000, families over $250,00 a simple 10%. Require the rich to pay for the debt. Simple accounting tricks could balance the budget. Millionaires and billionaires must buy a set percentage of treasury notes and then pay taxes to pay them off while pocketing the modest interest. The present tax code promotes avoidance and prefered treatment. If the government was more responsible everyone would willingly contribute. I pay no taxes because I'm knowledgeable but I give in targeted and meaningful ways.

I agree with the Republican mantra of 'no new taxes' but disagree with their focus and logic. What the corporate world spends on tax lawyers and drastic overseas movements could go a long way to balancing our budget. If we had an uncomplicated corporate flat rate of 20% the economy would boom and unemployment would disappear.

Blame it on Wilbur Mills, he spent 40 years mucking up the tax code and helping his rich friends. I love you Wilbur. I am a tax expert.