Raising social involvement, self awareness and self improvement topics, because our communities are the sum of our personal beliefs, behaviors, action or inaction. Only "we" can improve our family, work place, school, city, country, etc.
The rich are richer than they used to be, a Itnd we haven't adjusted to that fact. Our tax system was developed at a time when the wealth gap was much smaller. It was a developed at a time when wealth was created by income, not appreciation of assets. There was once a time in America, where there were only a few super wealthy. Rockefellers and Carnegies were rare. Now billionaires can be found on every street corner.--Hiram
It's tough to tax appreciation of value. One way to do it is to tax things associated with appreciation of value through things like property taxes and estate taxes. Fair taxes, which I understand as an increased reliance on sales taxes doesn't solve this issue IMO, because sales taxes are regressive. And the fact is, many rich people just don't spend that much money, a basic reason why they became rich. The key to reduction of deficit is simple enough in theory. We must reduce the things we spend money on. The federal government spends money on two things, health care and defense. We must address spending in these areas to have any impact on deficit. We must make choices that are tough, risky, and which will involve a great deal of personal pain for everyone of us.--Hiram
When I say FAIR I do not mean the FAIR tax proposal...
I mean that the USA provides a certain amount to benefit to those people and business that reside here. With that in mind, what is the equitable way to pay the bills, without increasing the nation's debt load.
Let’s look at quick definitions to establish a baseline:
Equal is defined as the same or exactly alike. [Equality] Fair is defined as just or appropriate in the circumstances. [Fairness] Equity is defined as the quality of being fair and impartial.
There are two separate things here. Fairness and paying bills. Which is the priority? Is it okay for bills to go unpaid because we can't agree on a fair way to pay them.==Hiram
We voted for Trump in the expectation that he would reduce our involvement in foreign wars. That didn't happen. Whose fault is that? As for health care, we simply aren't interested in talking about the problem. But the fact is in terms of debt and deficit stuff, if we found a way of moving health care off the government books, that wouldn't mean the cost wouldn't just move somewhere else, unless we are willing to reduce the health care we receive. No one wants to do that.--Hiram
Yes. Trump lied about reducing costs at the grocery store, and idiots believed and voted for him. I would say that is the selfish folks doing as they do... My point exactly.
Lots of ways to reduce healthcare costs, unfortunately selfish and scared people keep choosing the status quo. With little concern that the results are questionable and the cost is high. :-(
Dealing with health care is incredibly difficult. The providers are rich, and sophisticated in their use of lobbyists, and in presenting their issues to the public. There is no comparable firepower opposing them. The fact is, in health care, waste makes us happy. It's why the horror stories we hear about health care come from countries that are mindful of what health care costs. There is a reason there are long lines for health care in Canada but not here.==Hiram
The rich are richer than they used to be, a Itnd we haven't adjusted to that fact. Our tax system was developed at a time when the wealth gap was much smaller. It was a developed at a time when wealth was created by income, not appreciation of assets. There was once a time in America, where there were only a few super wealthy. Rockefellers and Carnegies were rare. Now billionaires can be found on every street corner.--Hiram
ReplyDeleteLetting capital gains avoid tazation or forever definitely does not seem logical. Especially when the government is running BIG deficits.
ReplyDeleteThe what is FAIR discussion is still relevant.
https://give2attain.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-is-fair-tax-credit-welfare-policy.html
It's tough to tax appreciation of value. One way to do it is to tax things associated with appreciation of value through things like property taxes and estate taxes. Fair taxes, which I understand as an increased reliance on sales taxes doesn't solve this issue IMO, because sales taxes are regressive. And the fact is, many rich people just don't spend that much money, a basic reason why they became rich.
ReplyDeleteThe key to reduction of deficit is simple enough in theory. We must reduce the things we spend money on. The federal government spends money on two things, health care and defense. We must address spending in these areas to have any impact on deficit. We must make choices that are tough, risky, and which will involve a great deal of personal pain for everyone of us.--Hiram
When I say FAIR I do not mean the FAIR tax proposal...
ReplyDeleteI mean that the USA provides a certain amount to benefit to those people and business that reside here. With that in mind, what is the equitable way to pay the bills, without increasing the nation's debt load.
Let’s look at quick definitions to establish a baseline:
Equal is defined as the same or exactly alike. [Equality]
Fair is defined as just or appropriate in the circumstances. [Fairness]
Equity is defined as the quality of being fair and impartial.
There are two separate things here. Fairness and paying bills. Which is the priority? Is it okay for bills to go unpaid because we can't agree on a fair way to pay them.==Hiram
ReplyDeleteApparently we are okay as a society not paying our bills, and instead placing them on the back of our children. Which definitely is not fair. :-O
ReplyDeleteWe voted for Trump in the expectation that he would reduce our involvement in foreign wars. That didn't happen. Whose fault is that? As for health care, we simply aren't interested in talking about the problem. But the fact is in terms of debt and deficit stuff, if we found a way of moving health care off the government books, that wouldn't mean the cost wouldn't just move somewhere else, unless we are willing to reduce the health care we receive. No one wants to do that.--Hiram
ReplyDeleteYes. Trump lied about reducing costs at the grocery store, and idiots believed and voted for him. I would say that is the selfish folks doing as they do... My point exactly.
ReplyDeleteLots of ways to reduce healthcare costs, unfortunately selfish and scared people keep choosing the status quo. With little concern that the results are questionable and the cost is high. :-(
Dealing with health care is incredibly difficult. The providers are rich, and sophisticated in their use of lobbyists, and in presenting their issues to the public. There is no comparable firepower opposing them. The fact is, in health care, waste makes us happy. It's why the horror stories we hear about health care come from countries that are mindful of what health care costs. There is a reason there are long lines for health care in Canada but not here.==Hiram
ReplyDeleteI don't let voters off that easy... I think they are just self absorbed uninformed idiots...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.pgpf.org/article/how-does-the-us-healthcare-system-compare-to-other-countries/