California Governor Thinking Flat Tax

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Schwarzenegger suggests state consider flat tax

Could the flat tax come to California?

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that he would like to see such radical proposals come out of a commission now studying an overhaul of the states tax system. The governor told the editorial board of the Sacramento Bee that he hoped the commission would not be afraid to propose something like a 15% straight tax.

Thats the kind of radical, daring kind of a proposal that I want to see on the table so we can look at it and say, Oh, lets study this, maybe that is the way to go, Schwarzenegger said during the discussion, which was webcast.

The current system, based on highly unstable income tax revenue that fluctuates with the economy, doesnt work, Schwarzenegger said.

Advocates of a flat tax, which applies a single tax rate to all income, say it increases compliance with the tax codes because it is so simple and easy to understand. But opponents dislike that it taxes the wealthy at the same rates as the poor.

Steve Forbes and Jerry Brown both pushed for it during their presidential campaigns.

Schwarzenegger said he was concerned that the commission might be too timid in what it suggests and rule things out in advance thinking that either Democrats or Republicans would object.

I hope and I pray that they dont think they have to make a political decision, he said.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/flat-tax.html

Edited June 7, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[DEDixon 39]

I vote for no income tax and a high sale tax.

I'd like the sale tax to be 2 parts, first part State which would be fixed and second part County which would be whatever the county wants. Counties would compete with each other so if SF is higher and Oakland is less, people would go to Oakland to shop so Oakland doesn't necessarily lose out if their tax is low (big items... refrig, computers, HDTVs.... people would go to Oakland to buy it then buy gas there too and maybe pick up some other things while they are at it.... SF loses out).

The only downside to this is with tourist, they might not out buy so much, but maybe, if they show an out of state ID, they get a different rate? Delaware does this (no sales tax in Delaware), but they card people on big item purchases to see if they are from Maryland, but I don't know what they do if they are from Maryland. I know Maryland had a big problem with people going to Delaware... last update I had was that Delaware was carding them, but I'm actually not sure what they do if they are from Maryland).

California Dreaming.... no income tax!

But, even this system would fail in a bad economy, what system wouldn't fail in a bad economy?

[_Simpson_ 250]

A flat tax would be nice but all we will ever hear from the democrats is the same old rehtoric about how the weatlhy are getting taxed less........

I live in a state that has no sales tax and I dont much care for it, often school levys and whatnot are paid by the home owners through property taxes. Punish the go getters, they can afford it right...

[Niels Bohr 72]

The lower class cannot afford the same level of tax compared the the wealthier people. For example, a Med. Doctor can afford to pay 35% tax whereas a berry picker who makes a measly 300/week cannot afford a 35% tax.

I'd have to agree with the consumption tax instead of making everyone pay the same tax. Those who have more money can afford to pay for more goods. Therefore, the taxes do add up.

Edited June 7, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Taxation without representation is tyranny.

[_Simpson_ 250]

The lower class cannot afford the same level of tax compared the the wealthier people. For example, a Med. Doctor can afford to pay 35% tax whereas a berry picker who makes a measly 300/week cannot afford a 35% tax.

I'd have to agree with the consumption tax instead of making everyone pay the same tax. Those who have more money can afford to pay for more goods. Therefore, the taxes do add up.

A med. doctor can afford more because of his hard work and good choices, the choices in life he makes to get where he is and should be awarded not punished and a tax system as such punishes. Sure there is the mother with 3 kids that has hubby die or leaves her stranded and it might seem harsh this kind of tax system, but most people are where there are because of choices they made and need to be held accountable for them. Its bad news when you got the gov. in the buisness of trying to make things fair.

Edited June 7, 2009 by looking_up

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's understandably that he worked hard. Sometimes people grow in different situations that don't favor them very much to goto school. Being a doctor require planning from the start. Some people who grew up cannot plan because they rely on daily work to give them a meal. When they need to work daily, they couldn't afford to loose work by studying as much.

You're getting the wrong idea. Some people who parents died when they're 18, and have younger siblings have tougher times when in college. Their dreams of becoming Med. Doctors are ruined because they must work to support their siblings. So, they have limited time to study to become doctors. Not only that, adding to the fact that they work two jobs to make sure their siblings are together.

Going to college requires planning. However, if there's responsibilites that requires attention, planning doesn't work.

Edited June 7, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[_Simpson_ 250]

It's understandably that he worked hard. Sometimes people grow in different situations that don't favor them very much to goto school. Being a doctor require planning from the start. Some people who grew up cannot plan because they rely on daily work to give them a meal. When they need to work daily, they couldn't afford to loose work by studying as much.

You're getting the wrong idea. Some people who parents died when they're 18, and have younger siblings have tougher times when in college. Their dreams of becoming Med. Doctors are ruined because they must work to support their siblings. So, they have limited time to study to become doctors. Not only that, adding to the fact that they work two jobs to make sure their siblings are together.

Going to college requires planning. However, if there's responsibilites that requires attention, planning doesn't work.

There are the cases where people are doomed so to speak by no choice of there own. I believe that to be the exception not the rule. I would like to find a way to right those wrongs. As far as the others, people who have had tough childhoods tend to consistently make bad choices regardless if we tax them less or come up programs that could benefit them. I think what we need to do is let the go getters follow thier dreams. It wasnt until I had a real job that I realized how the tax bracket system screws you. I think by not having a tax bracket system you make it easier for the people that want to do something with there lives do it. If you have a family you can easily be middle class but not afford to put your children through school or even work less hours so that you can spend more time with them.

Edited June 7, 2009 by looking_up

[Niels Bohr 72]

Nope. It happens on a daily bases. Sometimes the parents are handicapped. There are so many problems with the flat tax that it shouldn't even be suggested. Unless if the tax is about 5%. Flat tax would be supported indeed.

Edited June 7, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

When I strike it rich with the Lotto, I will give my democratic friends and family a portion worthy of their taxes back and to the republican family and friends they get their taxes portion worthy back! sounds fair to me!

[_Simpson_ 250]

Nope. It happens on a daily bases. Sometimes the parents are handicapped. There are so many problems with the flat tax that it shouldn't even be suggested. Unless if the tax is about 5%. Flat tax would be supported indeed.

Yes it happens on a daily basis, but I was making reference to the percentage. Most often it is choices that have put people where there are, that is what I meant.

When I strike it rich with the Lotto, I will give my democratic friends and family a portion worthy of their taxes back and to the republican family and friends they get their taxes portion worthy back! sounds fair to me!

No no no, only give the poor money, the "rich" dont need it

Edited June 7, 2009 by looking_up

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Yes it happens on a daily basis, but I was making reference to the percentage. Most often it is choices that have put people where there are, that is what I meant.

When I strike it rich with the Lotto, I will give my democratic friends and family a portion worthy of their taxes back and to the republican family and friends they get their taxes portion worthy back! sounds fair to me!

I can see it now, the republicans would be thankful for getting the taxes back that they had paid, while the democrats would whine and complain bcz they wouldnt be receiving the same amount as the republicans. Democrats just cant get it both ways. ok ok, i'll be nice now.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Nope. It happens on a daily bases. Sometimes the parents are handicapped. There are so many problems with the flat tax that it shouldn't even be suggested. Unless if the tax is about 5%. Flat tax would be supported indeed.

Yes it happens on a daily basis, but I was making reference to the percentage. Most often it is choices that have put people where there are, that is what I meant.

When I strike it rich with the Lotto, I will give my democratic friends and family a portion worthy of their taxes back and to the republican family and friends they get their taxes portion worthy back! sounds fair to me!

No no no, only give the poor money, the "rich" dont need it

Reminds me about what happened in my Walmart 3 weeks ago. 2 young adult males got caught stealing. I came into the office with the loss prevention. The guys were smart mouthed and attitude. I said something to them about being thankful they werent going to jail tonight bcz MOST of the time we send thieves to jail. One guy said to me, " Not to be disrespectful or anything.... but you make alot of money at Walmart." boy oh boy that was the wrong thing to say to me... I went off on him about how I work hard for my money and so does all the employees of our store and that he and his friend like so many others steal Walmarts stuff which cuts our hours, which results in loss of pay, which makes it harder to pay bills so many of us have to work another job! I dont make tons of money there, I just enjoy what I do. Who is he to think bcz I work and make money that he has a right to come in and steal it from us.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Nope. It happens on a daily bases. Sometimes the parents are handicapped. There are so many problems with the flat tax that it shouldn't even be suggested. Unless if the tax is about 5%. Flat tax would be supported indeed.

Yes it happens on a daily basis, but I was making reference to the percentage. Most often it is choices that have put people where there are, that is what I meant.

When I strike it rich with the Lotto, I will give my democratic friends and family a portion worthy of their taxes back and to the republican family and friends they get their taxes portion worthy back! sounds fair to me!

No no no, only give the poor money, the "rich" dont need it

Reminds me about what happened in my Walmart 3 weeks ago. 2 young adult males got caught stealing. I came into the office with the loss prevention. The guys were smart mouthed and attitude. I said something to them about being thankful they werent going to jail tonight bcz MOST of the time we send thieves to jail. One guy said to me, " Not to be disrespectful or anything.... but you make alot of money at Walmart." boy oh boy that was the wrong thing to say to me... I went off on him about how I work hard for my money and so does all the employees of our store and that he and his friend like so many others steal Walmarts stuff which cuts our hours, which results in loss of pay, which makes it harder to pay bills so many of us have to work another job! I dont make tons of money there, I just enjoy what I do. Who is he to think bcz I work and make money that he has a right to come in and steal it from us.

2 kids that no nothing about life. Welfare recipients I can see it now.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Some people make poor decisions. However, do not let that view the poor as some Wal-Mart greeter. There are 300 million Americans. And, consider that the top 10-15% are wealthy. Everyone else are just average folks. Many of these average folks also struggle to pay their dues as well.

Some people make decision not to be poor but circumstances force them to be poor.

The expression, "Between a rock and a hard place" is true.

Edited June 7, 2009 by Niels Bohr