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Old 04-16-2004, 15:57   #34
Roguish Lawyer
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland (at last)
Posts: 8,765
Oh, what the hell. Just a few points:

1. One of the central purposes of a flat tax is to eliminate the tax avoidance you're complaining about. Most deductions would be eliminated in this system.

2. The more you tax savings and investment, the less you will see people saving and investing. Savings and investment grow the economy and create jobs. This is why, generally speaking, we should minimize taxation of savings and investment, rather than eat the rich as you propose.

3. Rich people will pay more under a flat tax system. Illustration at rate of 15%:

Income Taxes Paid
$10,000 $1,500
$50,000 $7,500
$100,000 $15,000
$1,000,000 $150,000

4. You are incorrect in suggesting that "pure" capitalism and "pure" socialism are equally "effective." Find me a socialist state in history that produced positive social results. One. Good luck.
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