Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Taxing Life Away
Townhall.com ^ | April 9, 2014 | John Stossel

Posted on 04/09/2014 4:13:49 AM PDT by Kaslin

It's tax time. I'm too scared to do my taxes. I'm sure I'll get something wrong and my enemies in government will persecute -- no, I mean prosecute -- me. So I hired Bob.

Bob's my accountant. I like Bob, but I don't like that I have to have an accountant. I don't want to spend time keeping records and talking to Bob about boring things I don't understand, and I really don't want to pay Bob. But I have to.

What a waste. Once, I calculated what I could do with the money I give Bob. I could have a fancy dinner out 200 times. I could buy a motorcycle. I could take a cruise ship all the way from New York to Venice, Italy, and back.

Better yet, I could do some good for the world. For the same money I waste on Bob, I could pay four kids' tuition at a Catholic high school.

The tax code is now complex enough that most Americans now hire Bob, or his equivalent. Instead of inventing things, doing charity work or just having fun, we waste weeks (and billions of dollars) on tax preparation.

And we change our lives to suit the wishes of politicians.

"What the tax code is doing is trying to choose our values for us," complains Yaron Brook from the Ayn Rand Institute. I think I choose my own values, but it's true that politicians use taxes to manipulate us. Million-dollar mortgage deductions steer us to buy bigger houses, and solar tax credits persuaded me to put solar panels on my roof. Brook objects to every manipulation in the code: "It's telling us charity is good!"

On my TV show, I respond: But charity is good! Brook retorts, "If you want to give to charity, great, (but) I might invest in a business that's more important."

That's possible, but since a charity will probably spend the money better than government will, isn't it good that the code encourages people to give? Steve Forbes argues that if taxes were flat and simple, Americans would give more . "Americans don't need to be bribed to give ... In the 1980s, when the top rate got cut from 70 down to 28 percent ... charitable giving went up . When people have more, they give more."

While freedom lovers complain about the byzantine complexity of the tax code, the politically connected tout their special breaks. The National Association of Realtors runs TV ads showing Uncle Sam offering first-time homebuyers an $8,000 tax break, while sleazily winking at the viewer.

The tax code oddity that may have the most destructive influence on America might be the fact that if you buy private health insurance, you pay more tax than if your employer buys you a plan.

It's why we ended up with a sluggish health care market unresponsive to individual desires -- leading to the insistence that we need a government-managed alternative like Obamacare.

The code is incomprehensible. You can get a deduction for feeding feral cats but not for having a watchdog, for clarinet lessons if your orthodontist thinks it'll cure your overbite but not for piano lessons a psychotherapist prescribes for relaxation. It seems so arbitrary.

In the marketplace, individuals shop around for the most efficient, low-cost way of getting services they really want. Every time tax rules nudge us in a chosen direction, they preempt the market's signals.

Government gets moralistic about it, too, placing "sin taxes" on items like cigarettes and fat, plus luxury items like yachts that some find decadent. It's gone on for centuries. American colonists seem libertarian by today's standards, but they put extra taxes on snuff and "conspicuous displays of clothing."

That's one thing the Founders did that we shouldn't copy -- but their otherwise rebellious attitude toward taxation is one that we should emulate. America suffers when government turns taxes into a manipulative maze.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: federaltax; incometax; money; stossel; taxes

1 posted on 04/09/2014 4:13:49 AM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Russia has more economic freedom than we do - a 13% flat tax, people can save and invest money, the government runs budget surpluses and people are satisfied they get good value.

Nothing like that exists in this country, we are drowning in high taxes, all time debt, people have no savings, we have budget deficits are far the eye can see and with all that we’re spending, we are not getting good value. We think we are free but that isn’t true.

What are we going to do about it? Freepers have no business lecturing Russia on what it doesn’t have and while they have a point, we are not exactly a role model of freedom to others. America has to put its own house in order first.


2 posted on 04/09/2014 4:28:20 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
America suffers when government turns taxes into a manipulative maze.

Good way of summing it up. Also, when it treats its citizens like rats...

3 posted on 04/09/2014 4:31:41 AM PDT by livius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Proof we need at minimum the flat tax proposed by Steve Forbes in 1996.

But in the end, the ultimate solution is this:


4 posted on 04/09/2014 4:42:21 AM PDT by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's economic cure)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RayChuang88

The current voice is that of Dr Ben Carson. He details it frequently in his lectures


5 posted on 04/09/2014 4:45:08 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... History is a process, not an event)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
By replacing income taxes with tariffs and a NRST, the trade balance would get better, it would promote domestic manufacturing and savings rate would increase. Up until 1913 you kept everything you earned.

Free traitors have ruined this economy.

6 posted on 04/09/2014 4:52:48 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: central_va

You are as always, wrong

The policies that you espouse would destroy the economy and the country

Global trade exists for a reason...... it is profitable. It produces products people want at a price they want to buy them.

Business makes the world go round


7 posted on 04/09/2014 4:57:03 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... History is a process, not an event)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

At one point when I was a teen, I was ready to join the seminary and lead a life of poverty and chastity. As an adult in a strong career making more money than I ever thought I would, I pine for the days of my youth.

I’m starting to believe that selling all of my material goods and living under the yoke of the Lord would be a better living than what I put up with now. Living a good life in America is becoming increasingly difficult and borders on painful.


8 posted on 04/09/2014 5:33:07 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

Well, if your money owns you, you are a slave.

But if you own the money, you are free.

Dedicate your fortune to the Lord, be generous to those in genuine need, and begin trusting Him to see you through both thick and thin. You don’t have to be a monk or nun to serve the Lord with your whole life.


9 posted on 04/09/2014 5:36:13 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

I have been excessively giving as of late. I’ve sent my mother and mother-in-law on vacation, I’m taking my brother and his girlfriend on vacation next month. I’ve given a lot of money to local faith-based charities and to my alma maters. I don’t let money own me, because I have little need for material goods. My wife doesn’t quite understand it, but she’s coming around.

Giving really does feel good.


10 posted on 04/09/2014 5:40:33 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

Don’t forget to put your faith in the Lord who provides. You don’t have to take care of the whole world and if your family has needs it should come first. Some folks regard the Lord as someone they only meet in church services, and that’s not true. He’s everywhere you go.


11 posted on 04/09/2014 5:42:54 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

... ultimately the point is in passing on the Lord’s blessing to others. It’s not to make yourself out to be a big shot. And with that I guess I’ve yacked myself out. God bless and grant you wisdom and grace.


12 posted on 04/09/2014 5:45:17 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: rarestia
I'm not rich. I set up my budget so I have "x" dollars every month for all but the necessities. If at the end of the month there's something left over, I'll donate it....a bit to FR, my alma mater, a religious group that seems sincere and charitable, buying local goods I maybe could do without, a little extra in a hairdresser's tip.

I don't think having that discretionary income is anything but a plus. It certainly isn't making me any poorer.

13 posted on 04/09/2014 5:52:10 AM PDT by grania
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

“What a waste.”

Welcome to government in America - where you been?


14 posted on 04/09/2014 5:59:05 AM PDT by Jack Hammer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck
Don’t forget to put your faith in the Lord who provides.

Its good to start the day with this reminder.

Especially these days. Thanks.

15 posted on 04/09/2014 6:00:46 AM PDT by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: grania

We abide by the same principles. I always tip well at restaurants and give to any service person who has to touch me (i.e. massage therapist, lady who does my mani-pedi). Having discretionary income is definitely a plus, but I’m not wont for much in this world; so giving to those who might need a hand up is a no-brainer.


16 posted on 04/09/2014 6:03:15 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: rarestia
I’m starting to believe that selling all of my material goods and living under the yoke of the Lord would be a better living than what I put up with now. Living a good life in America is becoming increasingly difficult and borders on painful.

You make it sound as if living under the yoke of the Lord is the lesser of two evils.

17 posted on 04/09/2014 9:37:23 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Mr Ramsbotham
You make it sound as if living under the yoke of the Lord is the lesser of two evils.

That wasn't my intent at all. I believe the Lord is a merciful shepherd. I also believe that our current situation is retribution for forsaking God in our society. This is our punishment. Accepting the Lord and forgoing life's materialist eccentricities are a guarantee that we will not want, and that, quite frankly, pisses off the Leftists to no end!

The fact that God-loving, God-fearing people can be happy with so little is a testament to the greatness of God and a big reason why Progressives want God out of the public dialogue. A love of God does not work with Statism, and they know it!

18 posted on 04/09/2014 10:38:18 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

At one point when I was a teen, I was ready to join the seminary and lead a life of poverty and chastity. As an adult in a strong career making more money than I ever thought I would, I pine for the days of my youth.

I’m starting to believe that selling all of my material goods and living under the yoke of the Lord would be a better living than what I put up with now. Living a good life in America is becoming increasingly difficult and borders on painful.

**
Agreed. Add to that serving your country for almost 30 years and then getting SOCKED in taxes on the retirement income. After I went back to school and started a second career, hubby and I are finally earning decent money and STILL will have to cough up an extra $8K on top of the outrageous amount we pay every month in the next few days.

We’re earning more than we’d ever imagined ....so why can’t we afford the basic stuff? I still budget, cut coupons, scrimp and save ....it’s only good on paper anymore. They just simply will not let you keep anything you’ve worked for. People who are “poor” seem to live far better ... All we do is knock ourselves out working like dogs all year round.


19 posted on 04/13/2014 7:08:59 PM PDT by LibsRJerks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson