Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

LaydeeBug

(10,291 posts) Mon Dec 9, 2013, 11:02 AM Dec 2013

Please help me debunk the 'flat tax' meme. [View all]

I've gotten myself "in it" again.

This:
I would like to propose a flat tax rate of 5%, for every man woman and child living in the USA. A couple with no children would pay 10%, 1 child- 15% and so on. Even those receiving assistance should be paying taxes of 5%. I would hope this would allow people who can afford it to have larger families yet contribute more because they take more, and multiple children born into poverty from the same parent less likely, because the more you have the more you pay.

On edit to add this link, so you know I teh googled: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2010/04/12/flat-tax-is-class-warfare

19 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Please help me debunk the 'flat tax' meme. [View all] LaydeeBug Dec 2013 OP

Debunk it? This is the dumbest proposal I've ever heard. JaneyVee Dec 2013 #1

Sounds great, even if it does sound like clydefrand Dec 2013 #2

Um…it's NOT great as it shifts the tax burden further on the middle class and the poor. nt LaydeeBug Dec 2013 #3

But worse even than a tax increase, is it would be clydefrand Dec 2013 #4

First of all Proud Public Servant Dec 2013 #5

And how long are the people with children to be taxed? n2doc Dec 2013 #6

This thread should give you what you need .. . HughBeaumont Dec 2013 #7

Don't worry.. sendero Dec 2013 #8

For starters.... Jeff In Milwaukee Dec 2013 #9

Most people who favor a flat tax think that the rich are over-taxed. dawg Dec 2013 #10

That's not even a flat tax. JVS Dec 2013 #11

That won't work. PDJane Dec 2013 #12

Benefits from and costs for government service don't accrue per capita. HereSince1628 Dec 2013 #13

That's not a plan. surrealAmerican Dec 2013 #14

You have the incentives backwards. We need to encourage people to have kids. Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #15

Regressive taxation is a bad thing Gothmog Dec 2013 #16

That's exactly our debate…..he is saying it isn't regressive LaydeeBug Dec 2013 #18

It is by definition regressive Gothmog Dec 2013 #19

Are you talking income tax, payroll tax, both? MissMillie Dec 2013 #17