We all know Americans are against higher taxes on the rich.

Post #327,585 by Another Scott 6/8/10 9:30:00 PM Reply	We all know Americans are against higher taxes on the rich. It's the conventional wisdom, after all. Too bad the conventional wisdom is wrong. (As usual.) http://yglesias.thin...xing-the-rich.php Felix Salmon and Kevin Drum ponder the American middle classÂ implacable opposition to taxing the rich as a means of closing the budget deficit. Their comments are interesting, but IÂm seeking evidence that any such opposition exists. On March 29, Quinnipiac University asked ÂDo you think Â raising income taxes on households making more than $250,000 should or should not be a main part of any government approach to the deficit?Â The answer? People think it should: [...] Take a look at the numbers. Just about every group except Tea Party members favors raising taxes on those making over $250k by a large margin. Cheers, Scott.
Post #327,587 by drook 6/8/10 9:40:41 PM Reply	Interesting group Those making 100k - 250k are almost evenly split. So they people who think they may be just about to join that bracket are opposed, but those already in it are in favor. -- Drew
Post #327,588 by Another Scott 6/8/10 10:41:42 PM Reply	Yup. And Robert Waldman's feelings are hurt. http://www.angrybear...h-mmcclxxvii.html [...] In the elite debate it is definitely agreed that Americans hate class warfare and are not willing to soak the rich. I firmly believe that this is agreed, because it serves the group interest of the elite. I donÂt think Drum, Salmon or many others are influenced by their personal self interest (Drum and Salmon clearly wish things were as they really are). I think the fact that the US public want to raise taxes on the rich isnÂt transmitted from pundit to pundit the way the alleged fact that Americans want Obama to show more anger at BP is transmitted, because critical links are broken by people who just hate the fact and wonÂt accept it. I add that admitting that Marx had a point makes me feel ill. Kevin Drum and Felix Salmon ignore not only massive evidence but also my many posts pointing to that massive evidence. My feelings are hurt. Not to boast, but just to boast, I have actually corresponded by e-mail with Drum and by some kind of instant messenger with Salmon. [...] See the original for the embedded links. Cheers, Scott.
Post #327,590 by boxley 6/8/10 10:59:54 PM Reply	sure soak the rich as long as everyone pays a 10% VAT on everything but food. Then a income tax of those making over 250k a year can now pay 49% income taxes. I have no problem with this and would gladly support any plan to get some revenue in the door. So hands up in the air over this plan <crickets> </crickets>
Post #327,592 by static 6/9/10 12:50:34 AM Reply	Sounds a lot like Aus. Except our highest is 45% and kicks in a lot lower - 180k and up. (A few years ago it was 47%). Yes, we have a GST/VAT of 10% on nearly everything except food. Wade. Q:Is it proper to eat cheeseburgers with your fingers? A:No, the fingers should be eaten separately.
Post #327,608 by jay 6/9/10 9:36:39 AM Reply	Re: sure soak the rich I would actually go with a flat VAT across the board, with a rebate for the poorest 20% or so. The problem with exempting food is that telling food from non-food is easy at the consumer end, but telling which chemicals are going into food and which are not at the back end is a mess. For the income tax, some sort of simple tiers, say 15% kicking in at 100K and 40% kicking in at 300K would be better. I have no idea where the number would really have to be to balance it out, but I don't like the idea of a system where there is no tax up to some limit and then a one step jump to a very high tax. As for getting there, it ain't happening right now. A lot of economists have been talking about a national VAT to raise money, but nobody in Washington is taking it seriously. This will change if/when the country actually runs into the practical borrowing limits or the inflationary spiral begins to kick in. Jay
Post #327,628 by beepster 6/9/10 2:35:36 PM Reply	Actually on the chemicals and packaging side, it must be "food grade" certified, so its easier to levy that VAT than you might think. I will choose a path that's clear. I will choose freewill.

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