Energy tax

[sweeps]

This columnist argues that the government should put a tax on energy (calculated by its carbon content) while cutting income and payroll taxes.

The Big Idea: An Energy Tax

What do you think?

[getforfree]

This is just evil to control people like that.

It gives advantage to people that make lots of money.

We spend about 10% of our income on gas, + 2% on electricity and gas utilities.

We can't possibly use less gas unless we change our jobs. My Dh cannot walk 30 miles to work and carry 500 lb of tools with him at the same time. I can't walk 10 miles to work, especcially if it's hot outside. Then I would spend more time on walking back and forth, than working, so I would be spending twice more time and still get paid the same, maybe + 1% if they reduce income tax.

[jmjj215]

They'd have to figure out some type of exemption when your income was below X...

and it'd get sticky as usual.

[Crystallas]

BS, all BS. Reform the tax system, make it simpler, not more complex. I dont care how good this idea is, only those who have time to study the system know how to take advatage of it. Which leave average people in the gutter to do more work.

[PrincessPerky]

Ditto that, simpler is better, period.

[jmjj215]

Start listing suggestions for simplifying the tax system and we could all list problems with those simplifications. When you're talking about a taxing system you're talking about a whole society which, by its very nature, is extremely complex. I'm not saying there aren't some really goofy/stupid things w/ the tax laws and congressman with their pet laws. Just saying it's much easier said than done. Especially when all we say is "simplify it!"

How? Because I'm all for it but rack my brain at times trying to really find some viable solutions.

[markio26]

simplify the system is the answer, so, anyone with a 6th grade education can comprehend it.

[Crystallas]

You want a simple solution? Make people pay taxes apon reciept of money and apon spending. No filing at the end of the year for anyone except for businesses.

Now if the goverment can enforce something so complex, why cant they enforce something so simple?!

[sweeps]

So you're advocating a flat tax then?

[Crystallas]

Recent flat tax proposals still have people paying a set amount at the end of the year. Which seems to be the unfair part about the flat tax.

[jmjj215]

Originally Posted by Crystallas

You want a simple solution? Make people pay taxes apon reciept of money and apon spending. No filing at the end of the year for anyone except for businesses.

Now if the goverment can enforce something so complex, why cant they enforce something so simple?!

So what if I painted the dentist's house instead of paying him with money?
Would I be taxed on the spending of all money? What if I were a single mom making $16,000 per year that just need to buy some staple food for my kids? You really want to make that bread cost more to her? What if a business purchases real estate and it appreciates in value, then they swap that real estate in a deal to purchase a portion of a business?

Those are just a few off the top of my head. It gets worse. Much worse.

[jmjj215]

Originally Posted by markio26

simplify the system is the answer, so, anyone with a 6th grade education can comprehend it.

And my challenge to you is to tell us how to simplify it. As I said above, I'm all for simplifying, but I'd like to hear suggestions as to how that can be done.

[JBinKC]

I think it is a very bad idea for the poor and will be a huge incentive for me to go off grid if the tax is high enough. And how would you tax a wood burner like me who obtains his wood for free?

[PrincessPerky]

no matter what you can come up with 'loopholes'

[jmjj215]

That would put a bunch of people on the streets.