Thursday, April 16, 2009

Taxation with Unfair Representation

Our forefathers rebelled against the British Empire - put their lives and wealth on the line - because they were being taxed yet unfairly represented in the government that determined the rules under which they lived. Is the modern day progressive tax system any different?

Imagine a system where your tax bracket determines the weight of your vote: If you don't pay taxes you can't vote. If you are in the first tax bracket (lowest) you get one vote, the second two votes etc.

'Crazy!!' you say? Ok - think about this: Under our current system politicians have a vested interest in down-trodden people who are dependent on the government for money be it welfare or unemployemnent. People who are dependent on the government for sustenance or security are easy votes to get. We have set up circumstances where politicians benefit from a lack of success.

What would happen if we reversed this? Politicians benefit from promoting success. Every person who is so bad off they can't pay taxes is a lost vote. There is no benefit to having poorly educated people around who don't get paid well or have to depend on the government for money. Hmm...

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