Inviting chill nonhostile armchair philosophers. Topic: taxes. What are your thoughts on taxes in relation to your ideal government? No mention of parties nor ideologies please.
My thoughts: I am in one of the poorest counties in my state and when voting rolls around, every vote is whether to repeal raises in taxes done by the government without consent of the people. I view that as fundamentally wrong.
I will also say I would not tax personal income nor property. It is not a feelgood thing to have 10 acres and if i make a really nice house on it that means I have to pay more. Incentives are wrong there. I should feel only good about improving my home.
Business taxes tho I agree with but think are typically done wrong. Government should never be raising taxes in my county like they do. Let's say we are a government getting 10$ a year from a business making 1000$ a year because taxes are 1%. But we need 20$. The solution according to my current local politicians is to raise taxes to 2%. But there is another, more moral solution. We could also keep taxes 1% and pursue legislation that results in our 1000$ business instead bringing in 2000$ per year. This way we are not just a parasite draining more and more from our people. We get more money BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE GET MORE MONEY. A moral government, according to me, should have little taxes but across the board on all businesses it values. It should never raise them; they are to tie the wealth of the government to the wealth of it's people. Then, it should focus not on parasitically draining more and more, but keep them forever small and focus on raising the prosperity of it's people. Through the prosperity of it's people should the moral government allow it's own prosperity.
And that is my view on taxes (tariffs are another topic).
please, if you are a peaceful armchair philosopher like me, share your own ideal tax system or lack thereof! Thank you :)
This is an interesting take, and I never viewed taxes as ethical or not. I however would not call taxes parasitic, as they are used to finance healthcare, education, culture etc. So there is a give and take, like in a symbiotic relationship.
I think we consider it parasitic whenever we are already struggeling financially, aren't convinced the money is spent well by the government or feel above the government due to societal status.
Where I am personally unhappy with taxes is regarding certain goods fresh food, womens hygene products etc. - essential every day items. After the pandemic these things became somewhat pricey. However, I am not sure reducing taxes on food would be financially sustainable and a state that is bankrupt is the worst possible outcome.
I wanted to say more and adress more points, but I am too tired and can't really express as well, so I'll cut this short right here :)