I mentioned this in the past, and now actively seek opinions.
Anti-tax sentiment seems to be growing across North America. Taxpayers pasee more and more taken but less and less in return. It helps little to see it go into places like bail outs for corporations and into hidden departments and subsidies that have little or no impact on their immediate lives.
It got me thinking. It's time to democratize taxes. People should get to pick and choose where their taxes are spent. How to achieve this?
I'm not sure but, simplistically, I thought of presenting a taxpayer with a form each year where they can check out a box they feel their money should go. On that list you could find anything from foreign aid in whatever form, animal shelters, charities - whatever. It would reflect the general values of a nation. If you feel an environmental group deserves some money, then check the box.
Of course, certain things won't be up for debate. Areas identified as "necessity" to a civil society would have to be taxed. I'm not a nut about it. The traditional paying taxes for roads, police, security and other things like even public education (although I'm tempted to put it on the list) and health. The last two could also be a choice or they would have to pay less into it as a "compassion" contribution. If people choose to opt-out of the public system, let them. If they can afford private services God bless them and let the state take care of those who can't.
Wouldn't it be a good way to manage money? It would make the goverment be more diligent with the money they receive since that can't arbitrarily increase taxes and/or waste it on things like arenas. Money will be scarce for them - as it should be. Like the rest of us.
Anyway. I welcome more enlightened ideas or thoughts.
As I recall, Joan Baez tried to do this back in the late 60's and early 70's. She only paid the amount that didn't go to the military. So the IRS dragged her butt in every year and just took it.
ReplyDeleteChoose how the criminals who stole your loot are going to spend it!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a nut about it
How unfortunate. You haven't made as much progress as I'd hoped.
Good for Baez. They "took" it. Of course they did. Just like the mob.
ReplyDeleteNikk, already some readers consider me "radical" for merely speaking from an individualistic perspective. A rad notion here in Canada indeed.
Well, it is an interesting game to play, perhaps to better educate young people just before or as they are coming into the job market. Feasible? No.
ReplyDeleteNorth Americans do need to decide what is going to happen with entitlements. That is the single biggest problem right now and the one that will wreck the economy if it continues to be ignored. If we don't get a handle on this, we can cut taxes, raise taxes, shuffle spending around, but we are going to screw ourselves big time, and soon.