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Today's Poll: Do you think the super wealthy pay their fair share in taxes?

By Howard B. Owens
Chris March

Kind of like when George Bush (Not W. - he's not smart enough.)was president, and didn't pay any federal income taxes because he didnt own a house in a state- just lived tax free in the governors mansion.

When the people at the top bogart the rules to do anything they want, what keeps the people at the bottom from doing the same? Oh yeah, they can't afford world class lawyers who will get them out of ANYTHING. [yes, i realize technically it wasn't illegal in the letter of the law, but certainly the spirit. Would Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, or Jimmy Carter have done it? I think not, because they had some morals.]

Jul 25, 2011, 8:38am Permalink
Pat McGinnis

Overall yes I believe the rich pay their fair share, the ones that take advantage of the system though do not. Paying 35% of your income to the FED not including State is pretty high. We have an easy fix eliminate the ways to cheat the system or have a flat tax. I personally think some kind of variant of a flat tax on all income over 20K or 30K a year is a good idea. Combine that with a National VAT on imported goods.

Tax Brackets

Tax Bracket Single
10% Bracket $0 – $8,500
15% Bracket $8,500 – $34,500
25% Bracket $34,500 – $83,600
28% Bracket $83,600 – $174,400
33% Bracket $174,400 – $379,150
35% Bracket $379,150+

Tax Bracket Married Filing Jointly
10% Bracket $0 – $17,000
15% Bracket $17,000 – $69,000
25% Bracket $69,000 – $139,350
28% Bracket $139,350 – $212,300
33% Bracket $212,300 – $379,150
35% Bracket $379,150+

Tax Bracket Head of Household
10% Bracket $0 – $12,150
15% Bracket $12,150 – $46,250
25% Bracket $46,250 – $119,400
28% Bracket $119,400 – $193,350
33% Bracket $193,350 – $379,150
35% Bracket $379,150+

Jul 25, 2011, 8:56am Permalink
Bob Harker

The top 5% of income EARNERS (more than $159,619.00) "contribute" 58.72% of income taxes paid. If you add business taxes, capital gains taxes, etc. it jumps to over 70% of taxes paid.

70% of taxes paid by 5%.

That's not enough?

Folks, $160,000/yr. is FAR from "super rich".

I'm shocked and saddened by the results of this poll in a supposed conservative community. The progressives have clearly won in their campaign to change the thinking of our once free and prosperous republic. Current spending levels at ALL levels of government prove that.

Our country's "poor", INCLUDING WELFARE RECIPIENTS, who contribute $0.00 to our country are ranked in the top 2.3% of family income in the world.

When we are all poor, there will be no disparity in income, then the progressives will have accomplished their goals.

Jul 25, 2011, 9:02am Permalink
Ed Gentner

The position that taxes are unfair to the top 5% is nonsense, in the last several decades there has been a steady decline in real wages for those who actually work for an hourly wage. Corporations owned by the 5% have lowered the floor on wages, exported jobs, carved out exemptions, created loopholes for themselves while allowing the boys in the boardroom and their cronies to extract compensation far in excess to the duties they perform decrying any social program as creeping socialism....that is until they trash the overall economy and the 95% at the bottom have to pick up the tab, socialising losses while keeping the profits private.

Jul 25, 2011, 9:13am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Chris, Bush paid Federal taxes when he was President, it was the state tax he scammed on. I agree with you, it was only because he could afford expensive lawyers.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1992/01/01/870…

Anyway, cut the federal income tax out, or reduce it to a low flat percentage like 7 or 8% with no loopholes and start a consumption tax, I prefer a national sales tax. Then change the IRS into a taxpayer's watchdog making sure government spends our tax money according to the Constitution without favoritism and backroom deals. Then it might be fair.

Jul 25, 2011, 9:51am Permalink
John Roach

When approx. 48% do not pay any federal tax, what is fair about that?

How much of other peoples money do you think you have a right to? That's what we are really talking about. They have it, you don't. So you want more of their money. But how much of other peoples money do you want so it can be spent on you?

I'd like to see a poll that asks if more people should be paying at least some taxes.

Jul 25, 2011, 10:12am Permalink
Pat McGinnis

Edmund,
I guess it’s all about where your definition of being rich lies on how you interpreted this Poll. What is that magic number to be labled as rich 100k, 250k, 1 Mil a year jointly filed or single? What do you feel would be a fair tax rate for people making over 250k a year?

Generally a person’s investment in themselves allows them to earn higher wages. Why should that person be punished by our Government for working hard to improve their situation.

Jul 25, 2011, 10:39am Permalink
Dave Olsen

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Jul 25, 2011, 11:35am Permalink
Bob Harker

I'm wondering where the "irreparable" damage is that was predicted by obama/pelosi/reid if their liberal spending and long term lifting of the debt ceiling was not agreed upon by last night. The DOW is iff by 0.39% as of this posting.

Dave, I liked the Ventura video, but in DC today, it has about the same survival chances as an ice cube in .....Batavia.

Jul 25, 2011, 12:29pm Permalink
George Richardson

Why should a multi millionaire, job creator, pay taxes when I don't collect taxes during a garage sale? Why should a job creator pay taxes on his jet fuel when I don't pay any taxes while I ride my bicycle? Why should I buy a Honda if I want a Hummer? No reason, who cares?

Jul 25, 2011, 12:51pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Probably right, Bob. I just like to share ideas especially when they're from someon who "thinks outside the box" and is not part of the status quo, like Jesse. If enough people hear it, maybe they will try voting for an independent, instead of same-o same-o Rep's and Dem's. Interesting take from a columnist: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-07-23/opinion/zickar.silent.majority_1_sil…

I like the line: ...looking for value, not values. That's what I want

Jul 25, 2011, 1:33pm Permalink
bud prevost

In regards to the historical tax rates provided by C.M. above:
I find it unsurprising that the people of the 1950's and early 60's paid such staggering taxes. A good majority of these people came of age during the depression and WW II. They were considered the greatest generation for a reason. There was a genuine belief in fairness and equality, and the citizens viewed taxes as necessary for the collective good. We have turned into a nation of whiners, complainers and narcissists, with little to no empathy for their fellow countrymen.
Everyone paid taxes, so everyone had skin in the game. Simplify the tax system, eliminate loopholes, and let's get back to being the greatest nation on earth. Right now, we are teetering on the brink of second class status.

Jul 25, 2011, 2:12pm Permalink
Shannon Laurer

I guess I will never understand why we want to punish those that do and keep giving "entitlements" to those that don't! One day the middle class will be the "rich" and then what........

Jul 25, 2011, 8:48pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I must agree with Pat McGinnis and Bob Harker that most "wealthy" people pay their fair share of taxes, and then some. I make as much money as a married couple but I have no children and I've never been married. The tax man cometh to me with serious intent every year.

I maximize my 401K (which Obama now wants to make more difficult) and I have a mortgage. Unless I wanted to start a business and depreciate everything I own, I can only adjust my gross income to a certain extent. I'm finding it more and more difficult to stay ahead and I attribute that to more than half of my income contributing to all of the tax systems in place. I've also had my wages frozen for 11 out of the 18 years I've been with my current employer.

The next time I hear someone say that the wealthy don't pay their fair share and that they should pay more, I'm gonna blast an air horn in their ear so that they go deaf and can stop listening to Obama telling them how the rich are screwing everyone.

The middle class are rich and have more disposable income compared to a lot of the people I see living within my own community who are impoverished. Does that mean that the middle class should start paying more to those who have less? C'mon folks, stop listening to that drivel. There's no such thing as "redistributing the wealth."

The federal government is so far out of touch with reality that it's beyond absurd. They do not want you to be able to achieve financial independence so that you can take care of yourself! The entity of the federal gov wants you to NEED it in order to survive and it's doing everything in its power to make that happen.

The fed gov is looking for more ways to not have to pay out retirement income (keep raising the retirement age) to anyone while at the same time escalating tax collecting. They also want to diminish your ability to plan your own retirement savings.

http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retirement/article/113183/deficit-deal-r…

We're being screwed and they want us to think it's our fault or the fault of the wealthy. *eyeroll*

Jul 26, 2011, 6:07am Permalink

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