Little Nemo, for one.
Not really. They are still funding the government. It is a tool. Good or bad depends on what you’re using it for.
That doesn’t mean the ends justify the means. Because the ends justify the means suggests that the action is inherently wrong. There is nothing wrong with incentivizing behavior.
And his belief carries what weight, exactly? The Constition grants the federal goverment the power to collect taxes to provide for the general welfare, not “to fund the government”.
And of course “general welfare” is magically created when a stripper is given a tax writeoff for a boob job that increased her chest size to 56FF.
First, what businesses do you think should get to write off their expenses? Just the ones that you like? Why shouldn’t a legal business person get to write off their expenses?
Second, no stripper would have a 56 inch chest. The number part is the circumference of the lady’s rib cage.
It’s magically created when a company buys an expensive vehicle. At least the stripper is a real person with real wants and needs.
Probably not… but general welfare certainly might be promoted when workers are encouraged to invest in the tools of their trades.
You might as well say that we should stop funding the army because the framers clearly didn’t intend for some private at Fort Hood to eat subsidized ice cream.
I love the fact that, in the middle of a discussion of taxes, I can learn something about ladies measurements.
Irrelevant. Again, what “general welfare” is pursued when a stripper is given a tax writeoff for a boob job that increased her chest size to 56FF?
And yet it’s true. Google “Chesty Love”.
For extreme sizes, the band size can’t be measured below the bust, as would normally be the case.
The same general welfare that is pursued when we allow any business to write off some or all of the cost of capital improvements. 
The general welfare is pursued by allowing a business person to more easily start up and join the economy. Businesses would collapse overnight if they weren’t allowed to write off their expenses. I have a business, and my overhead is trivial compared to most, but losing write-offs would make it more difficult for me.
That’s pretty weird. Maybe something skews at higher sizes? Or maybe that’s the largest band available for customization… in any case, ignorance fought. She certainly doesn’t seem overly chunky.
Ah, makes sense.
There is a wealth tax already, it’s called the “death tax”. When you die your assets will be taxed by the government so even if they don’t get you in life, they will get you in death. Not that I agree with the death tax, for that money has already been taxed when it was earned. It seems as if it a redistribution program and it not only affects the “wealthy”. The death tax certainly affects the middle class as well. My parents aren’t rich, but they purchased a nice home many years ago that is probably worth in the neighborhood of $400k. They have savings of a few hundred thousand and other assets worth a few hundred. When they pass, the government will take a share of what is left before my sister and I see anything.
But to answer your question, no and hell no does there need to be a wealth tax. I am not wealthy, but that doesn’t mean that I want to see those who are punished for their wealth. I do want to see them taxed on income when it’s earned and on capital gains when an investment is sold. But to level a tax on someone just because they have assets is insane. It reeks of jealousy.
It’s an inheritance tax, not a death tax. And I’m pretty sure your parents get to ignore like the first three million dollars of the property for the purposes of the tax when leaving it to children.
And it isn’t double taxed. People are taxed when money changes hands. I pay you a dollar for a widget, you get taxed on that dollar, even though I was taxed when I earned it.
I leave a dollar to you after I die, you get taxed on that dollar. It’s simple. I personally think inheritance should be taxed as income (with maybe a million dollar exemption).
Um, as I recall, the estate must be worth millions before this kicks in. State taxes are a different matter.
- This will cause the number of gigs she gets and hours she works to increase, which increases the amount she pays in taxes, and so is an investment somewhat subsidized by the government, which is likely to yield a positive return for her and the government.
- It will require her to purchase new clothes and industrial strength bras, and thus increase consumption and increase state sales tax revenue.
- It might draw more business to her place of employment, increasing tips for all, increasing sales, and thus increasing the amount paid in taxes by her employer. If it really is successful the employer might have to hire more people.
So, it very likely contributes more to the general welfare than the deduction for a business lunch. Since she can only deduct it if she is an independent contractor, how is this not a valid business expense? It isn’t really any different from a writer being able to deduct the cost of paper and ink.
I suppose you want jack booted thugs from Washington to tell her how to run and invest in her business. Would 52 be acceptable to you? 48?
Damn socialists
Hate to say it, but it appears that you have been brainwashed. I just handled my father’s estate, which is nowhere near the cut off, and it didn’t have to pay a penny of inheritance tax. If your parents have an estate planning adviser who is telling them that their estate is going to have to pay inheritance taxes, they should fire him immediately. If they don’t have an adviser, maybe they should get one so they don’t make stupid decisions based on fear spread by the right.
In addition, no one pays inheritance tax on their money. When it kicks in, they are dead. Though the tax comes from the estate, it is effectively paid by the heirs - who clearly did not work to earn it. The principle expressed in this thread applies perfectly to this.
Succinct, but understated.
The means can help define the ends, as well; that is, if evil means are employed, the “ends” are tainted by them to become evil ends.