The rich, or the Republican caricature of the rich, are enraged that their hard earned dollars support the lazy, indulgent poor. Never mind that the United States has one of the lowest tax rates in the world. After all, the top 10 percent of income earners pay 71 percent of income taxes. Never mind what percentage of the total income they generate. Never mind that capitol gains are taxed even lower than income. That is beside the point. The 35% income tax rate is onerous and should be even lower. In Republican minds, even 1 percent more income tax would break the back of the rich and thereby destroy America.
a proposal after the fold....
The rich have a generous ride. They run business and government to their own interest. If they deem a federal program important then of course it is. Their criteria for determining importance is that which preserves or increases their bounty. For example the following are important:
Defense programs
Transportation programs - highways, no grubby public transportation
Stimulus funds to prop up their failed institutions
Unimportant programs include:
Healthcare for the poor
Public education
Unemployment benefits
To return the United States to its premier position in world affairs, we need to take action. I propose that the income tax rate for the top 1% of US citizens be immediately cut to 0%. That’s right, these fine citizens should pay no taxes. Using the trickle down theory, the US economy will surge and quickly make up the loss in taxes. The rich will no longer be burdened with supporting the federal government. I am sure they would then be agreeable to no longer feeding at the public trough. The rich will undoubtably volunteer to refrain from using programs they aren’t paying for, including our courts, highways, police and armies, and hospitals and research centers. Having 100% of their income at hand, they can surely protect themselves, resolve any disputes, and cure themselves. If need be they can raise private armies on remote islands and create kingdoms. But, they cannot do it here.
I make this modest proposal having no other motive than for the public good of my country.
Apologies to Mr. Swift.
UPDATE: Thank you for your support of this proposal. However, I fear it may not be generous enough. After all, there already failed states offering no taxes at all. But I do not see a rush of fine gentlemen and ladies to Somalia. There are certainly rich in Somalia, but not our rich, I fear. Our rich have been pampered, able to walk Central Park or surf the Pacific coast without armed guards and body armor. Perhaps we shall need to offer incentives to the wealthy not to use our public services. I'm sure they will be reasonable in their demands.