Article

2005-04-29 Europe

Flat Taxes Undermining EuroSocialism(tm)

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Posted by Anonymoose 2005-04-29 10:37:14 AM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is both great and off-pissing.

I first read about this in a book by Milton Friedman 30+ years ago. It's a very good, fair system and " Applying a basic - if regressive -system " IT IS NOT REGRESSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

The tax is slightly progressive in that the personal exemption (the only one allowed) comes off the top. Anyone making a small amount is paying a flat rate on a greatly reduced income. The rich pay the same rate on a very slightly reduced income. So, the tax paid vs. the gross amount turns out to be slightly progressive.

What's so damn hard to understand there?

Posted by AlanC 2005-04-29 12:03:35 PM|| 2005-04-29 12:03:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Laszlo Kovacs

Damn, what a fine name.

Posted by Shipman 2005-04-29 12:07:43 PM|| 2005-04-29 12:07:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 You know for a group that calls themselves 'progressive' the LLL doesn't like to try any new fangled ideas. Mention Flat Tax, Private SS accounts, Drilling in Alaska, or Education Vouchers and any LLL start to vent steam from their ears. They would rather go with the status quo, doesn't sound progressive to me.

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2005-04-29 1:15:57 PM|| 2005-04-29 1:15:57 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Cyber Sarge:

LLL start to vent steam from their ears

Maybe we can hook them up to a generator and have an alternate energy source? :-D

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2005-04-29 1:22:14 PM|| 2005-04-29 1:22:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 France's nightmare realized. The new, enlarged EU is the end of France's dream of a statist, dirigiste EU rival to the US hyperpower. RIP :-)

Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-04-29 4:26:15 PM|| 2005-04-29 4:26:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 I wonder if this new, enlarged EU will simply split into two EUs. On one side a group of countries with near zero percent growth called the Western EU(i.e. France, Germany, Belgium) and a groups of countries with up and coming economies with good positive growth rates called the Eastern EU(i.e. Poland, the Baltics, Czech, Slovakia).

I don't see how either side can stay combined with such different visions of the future

Posted by The Chemist 2005-04-29 5:00:35 PM|| 2005-04-29 5:00:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Barb, nice idea. I am sure we could come up with some methods how to make them more productive (more steam=more energy). ;-)

Posted by Sobiesky 2005-04-29 5:16:21 PM|| 2005-04-29 5:16:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 For once, I'd like to see the US adopt a 'European idea'.

Posted by AJackson 2005-04-29 6:43:10 PM|| 2005-04-29 6:43:10 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 "Progressives" don't like flat tax rates 'cos you can't social engineer with tax "incentives."

Posted by Seafarious 2005-04-29 7:05:00 PM|| 2005-04-29 7:05:00 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 what's all this I hear about a Fat tax. Isn't it bad enough that Little Debbie's aren't on sale anymore...what?...a ...Flat Tax...oh, ....nevermind

Posted by Emily Littella 2005-04-29 7:07:55 PM|| 2005-04-29 7:07:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 You know for a group that calls themselves 'progressive' the LLL doesn't like to try any new fangled ideas

It's progressive in the "Great Leap Forward" sense. And we know how Mao's plan turned out...

Posted by Pappy 2005-04-29 7:16:44 PM|| 2005-04-29 7:16:44 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Chemist, you wouldn't happen to be thinking along the lines of Old Europe and New Europe? Although your formulation is definitely more tactful... ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2005-04-29 7:43:24 PM|| 2005-04-29 7:43:24 PM|| Front Page Top

23:43 Yosemite Sam
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