The Honor Code is a much higher standard than passing a simple drug test and I am waiting to see if any of the folks we elected to office will actually step up and sign your pledge.

You say you believe that those who pay the least amount of taxes use the majority of services. I believe that the people who use the major amount of the services pay no tax at all. The middle class pays a disproportionate (even according to your #’s) amount by pure percentage. With a good accountant, which those of you who make 300K, will inevitably have, finding ways for you to (hide) money your effective tax rate I would guess will be even lower than the 15% you state. By your own numbers you are already paying less than the “working man” why is it that you feel you are entitled to pay less even though you make more? This country needs a flat tax , then everyone will be treated equally, if we use 10% tax for example then your example of the working stiff making 50k would pay 5k, and your 300K would pay 30K then everything is even for everyone(on a % basis).
You state that those making 300k use fewer services than those making less and site free/ subsided phones ect as things that you disagree with. If we use that mentality and knowing that no one making 50k, 30k or I would even bet 20k gets those services then the person making 20k should not be burdened with subsidizing those services either. Those that make that 300k believe that since they do not use these services they should not be burdened with paying for the services and that those making 50k or less should be saddled with paying for these services. I guess, no I know, those making 300k and above believe “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”. Remember no matter how much disdain you feel for those less fortunate, if they are not there to use goods and services your portfolio shrinks.

Ronin… please give that arm you use to pat yourself on the back a break… it must be getting tired

Ronin: THANKS for your service. We should never relinquish our right to fight for justice in this country!

I am sad for you, as you are the first “former” Marine I have ever “met.”

I served in the mud, and alongside many Marines (I was Army), and have Marines as friends today. They all say “once a Marine, always a Marine.” That is the code.

For you to denounce your Corps but gloss your service is unsettling. You seem to have served only to protect those with the wisdom of your beliefs. I served to protect and defend those idiots who disagree with me….along with those who agree.

Please seek help, counseling if you need it, and reconnect with your Corps.

Your post is very timely. Starting tomorrow, without congresional action, capital gains tax will go back to 20%, plus a new 3.8% capital gains tax to fund medicaid. From 15% to 23.8%, that is a 58.6% increase in the percentage rate for capital gains taxes. (Those in a lower tax bracket will pay less, about 10-13%)

Now without opinion, but for discusions sake:

The working man who pays 20% tax rate on $50K income has paid $10,000 to the government. The rich man who earns $300K but only pays 15% has paid $45,000 in taxes. Does the rich man who has paid about 4 times more than the working man in taxes also consume 4 times the amount of benefit or services from the government they both fund?

There is a lot of focus on the percentage rate people pay, we should also be considering the dollar value and consumption of services as percentages can be misleading.

Now for opinion’s sake:

I believe those who pay the fewest taxes, consume the majority of government services. There is a disconnect between those who consume services and those who fund those services.

We incentivize people to do things we think are good, should there not be an incentive to gaining wealth? It seems our government likes to punish those who choose not to be dependent upon the government and try to increase their wealth.

In fact we incentivize being poor, for those with low income: free or low cost cell phones, free or low cost housing, free or low cost food, free or low cost bus passes, free or low cost health care, free or low cost educational benefits, free or low cost legal aid, etc. Mostly paid for by those who are not eligible for these benefits.

EDITOR NOTE–JJ, all you need to do is quit making so much money! 🙂

Capital gain taxes are 15% at this point in time. It used to be 20% and the repubs convinced giving the rich a tax break would be good for investment and the economy. It was yet another tax shift and reduction tilted toward the rich.

I put money into a 401K plan and now when I pull it out it won’t be taxed as a capital gain but it will be ordinary income. I am forced to make withdrawals (Minimum distribution based on IRS life expectancy) when I turn 70.5 and pay full income tax rates. Once again the working guy pays full taxation as income and the smarties on Wall Street pay the capital gain rate of 15%.

I served and sacrificed too, so don’t lecture this old airborne infantry dog about it.

It is sad that you see my position as blatant ignorance, and you see Idaho as not worth fighting for.

Then give up the fight, get treatment for your anger, and enjoy life.