Cumulative burden of taxes

[406dn]

A troubling aspect to the entire tax structure, is, at least on the federal level, for many decades we have approved services that were not paid for entirely, in real time.

Two things that politicians have realized, is cutting tax rates is a political winner, and cutting services in a commensurate way is a political loser.

So we have continued to grow the debt burden, with no real seriousness about how to address it. I think there will be a debt crisis, someday. When, I have no idea. A hint will be when Uncle Sam can't sell new debt, without a sufficient interest payment, to reflect the possibility of a debt default.

 

[BigHornRam]

It could be worse.

Glass half full comment.

 

[noharleyyet]

How much could honest responsive/responsible governance save...

 

[belshawelk]

Only people who have actual taxes effect them should be able to vote. For example, levy and such that raise property taxes should only be voted on by actual property owners. Not people in apartments or renters. If a school bond comes and you no longer have kids or never lived in the area when you went to school, you should not have to pay the extra taxes. Let the additional actual have more effect on the people who get the services they claim you are getting.

Portland sent to the voters a levy to build new light rail connection. It got voted down 3 times. State passed it anyways without voter approval making everyone pay. I will never use light rail. Why should I pay? California high speed rail. 90M, then 180M now its in the billions. Not a single track has been laid.

 

[TOGIE]

Only people who have actual taxes effect them should be able to vote. For example, levy and such that raise property taxes should only be voted on by actual property owners. Not people in apartments or renters. If a school bond comes and you no longer have kids or never lived in the area when you went to school, you should not have to pay the extra taxes. Let the additional actual have more effect on the people who get the services they claim you are getting.

Portland sent to the voters a levy to build new light rail connection. It got voted down 3 times. State passed it anyways without voter approval making everyone pay. I will never use light rail. Why should I pay? California high speed rail. 90M, then 180M now its in the billions. Not a single track has been laid.

renters are still paying the current and potential additional levies

you know, like tariffs, they get passed along

 

[Wild Bill]

How much could honest responsive/responsible governance save...

I believe the actual amount is unfathomable and incalculable.

 

[SAJ-99]

How much could honest responsive/responsible governance save...

You have definitions for that we can agree on? I tend to think people will see a “responsive” government as one that benefits them. And that view is not getting better, only worse. I worry about this country.

 

[noharleyyet]

You have definitions for that we can agree on? I tend to think people will see a “responsive” government as one that benefits them. And that view is not getting better, only worse. I worry about this country.

Our pols' biggest fear is a good policy being credited and rewarded at the polls. Parse everything & treat constituents like fools. I worry also.

 

[BigHornRam]

I believe the actual amount is unfathomable and incalculable.

I calculate it at somewhere between 0% and 100%.

 

[SAJ-99]

I'd wager 'we' agree on more than we would disagree. It's not complicated...

Probably. But a 5,000+ page tax code seems complicated to me.

 

[noharleyyet]

Probably. But a 5,000+ page tax code seems complicated to me.

Yessir, but it's written by industry 'winners'.