Healthcare based on income

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I think "switching careers" is that opportunity you were speaking of.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I think "switching careers" is that opportunity you were speaking of.

Many people dont have that option, besides if this sort of tax bracket system didnt exist I would be making more money to go back to school and make a better living. I had a decent job making decent money. I had the opportunity to make more money and decided too but when I fell into the next tax bracket I realized that was doing alot more work for very little money because I am now be taxed at this percentage. So what happened is that I chose not to put in the extra work because it wasnt worth my time.

[mawilson 2,133]

Why is that?

because when you reach the next tax bracket your taxes jump up significantly and to move past that tax bracket and into the next is nearly impossible unless you switch careers.

They really don't. Only the excess is taxed at a higher rate.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I think "switching careers" is that opportunity you were speaking of.

Many people dont have that option, besides if this sort of tax bracket system didnt exist I would be making more money to go back to school and make a better living. I had a decent job making decent money. I had the opportunity to make more money and decided too but when I fell into the next tax bracket I realized that was doing alot more work for very little money because I am now be taxed at this percentage. So what happened is that I chose not to put in the extra work because it wasnt worth my time.

I don't honestly believe that the fault lies on what tax bracket your in. The fact is you don't have that opportunity in the first place which was my earlier point.

[Dan J 277]

And is it fair that a person makes more money based on the fact that his/her parents could afford school then another kid who's parents could not? Life isn't fair, we don't all start on equal planes.

We may not all start on the same plane but we should all have the opportunity to visit whatever plane we want to, different tax percentages makes that pretty tough.

Opportunities don't all of a sudden appear to give you the chance to be rich and wealthy. With capital you can create them for yourself. Or with networking you can find them through other people (Which helps if you are already in a higher income bracket to start with). Most people will never really see an opportunity to significantly change their own personal finacial situation without some crazy luck. Even hard work doesn't mean much if you are relying on an employer who sees you as just a number on the balance sheet.

A "fair tax" system would mean roughly a 25% income tax for everyone (maybe more to stay revenue neutral). The tax burden for those who can least afford it will increase significantly. And they will have less discrestionary income to use to improve their own situation or create opportunities for themselves. And America would become a land of a lot less opportunity.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Sorry for the hijack here, but Simpson, you need to spellcheck your signature file. It is spelled Brett Favre.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Why is that?

because when you reach the next tax bracket your taxes jump up significantly and to move past that tax bracket and into the next is nearly impossible unless you switch careers.

They really don't. Only the excess is taxed at a higher rate.

You go from 15% to 25% and yes it is only the money that doesn't fit in the other brackets that will be taxed at 25% but if you are working a job that barley get you into that bracket and now your paying these new rates it really makes it hard to move on up. I don't see how you could ever make it into the next bracket with out making a significant more amount of money.

[Dan J 277]

Why is that?

because when you reach the next tax bracket your taxes jump up significantly and to move past that tax bracket and into the next is nearly impossible unless you switch careers.

They really don't. Only the excess is taxed at a higher rate.

You go from 15% to 25% and yes it is only the money that doesn't fit in the other brackets that will be taxed at 25% but if you are working a job that barley get you into that bracket and now your paying these new rates it really makes it hard to move on up. I don't see how you could ever make it into the next bracket with out making a significant more amount of money.

I don't see how its a problem. Its not like your entire income is getting taxed at the new rate, only what falls into the new tax bracket. You are still doing pretty well for yourself if you have any income in the 25% tax bracket, even if it is getting taxed a little more than everything else.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Still waiting for Simpson to correct his signature file, I'm just saying ...........

[_Simpson_ 250]

And is it fair that a person makes more money based on the fact that his/her parents could afford school then another kid who's parents could not? Life isn't fair, we don't all start on equal planes.

We may not all start on the same plane but we should all have the opportunity to visit whatever plane we want to, different tax percentages makes that pretty tough.

Opportunities don't all of a sudden appear to give you the chance to be rich and wealthy. With capital you can create them for yourself. Or with networking you can find them through other people (Which helps if you are already in a higher income bracket to start with). Most people will never really see an opportunity to significantly change their own personal finacial situation without some crazy luck. Even hard work doesn't mean much if you are relying on an employer who sees you as just a number on the balance sheet.

A "fair tax" system would mean roughly a 25% income tax for everyone (maybe more to stay revenue neutral). The tax burden for those who can least afford it will increase significantly. And they will have less discrestionary income to use to improve their own situation or create opportunities for themselves. And America would become a land of a lot less opportunity.

I think your forgetting a couple of things here, look at how it punishes one for working harder or putting in more hours. We should be able to move up with out being punished.

Sure the "poor" would be taxed more but as it is I really dont think there paying there fair share. Now Im a good guy and I dont want suffering and would like to help all if possible but not all these "poor" people are people who cant get a break and have fallen on hard times. There is a significant amount of "poor" people making poor decisions and because of the way our tax system is set up it punishes the guys making good decisions. As I tried to point out in my personal situation.

Still waiting for Simpson to correct his signature file, I'm just saying ...........

ah yes you are right, I didnt even notice that

[_Simpson_ 250]

Still waiting for Simpson to correct his signature file, I'm just saying ...........

Fixed. I just want to point out that you is spelled wrong in youre avatar.

Edited October 19, 2009 by _Simpson_

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I think you missed part of D+G's point. Without the staggered system you'd be paying 25% on all your income not just that small amount above $75,000.

You can see that as a punishment if you like but its still not taking any opportunities away from you (unless that extra 10% on the amount over $75,000 you have makes that much of difference to you - like $1,000s...I mean a degree is expensive...a few hundred here or there is meaningless).

Edited October 19, 2009 by Sousuke

[_Simpson_ 250]

Why is that?

because when you reach the next tax bracket your taxes jump up significantly and to move past that tax bracket and into the next is nearly impossible unless you switch careers.

They really don't. Only the excess is taxed at a higher rate.

You go from 15% to 25% and yes it is only the money that doesn't fit in the other brackets that will be taxed at 25% but if you are working a job that barley get you into that bracket and now your paying these new rates it really makes it hard to move on up. I don't see how you could ever make it into the next bracket with out making a significant more amount of money.

I don't see how its a problem. Its not like your entire income is getting taxed at the new rate, only what falls into the new tax bracket. You are still doing pretty well for yourself if you have any income in the 25% tax bracket, even if it is getting taxed a little more than everything else.

Well its a problem because its punishing me for working harder. I do ok but its not like I have lots of extra money. I would rather have that extra money so that I could invest it into my family and not somebody else who chooses to keep making stupid decisions.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

But as was said before, you would pay more tax without the bracket system. You sound like your in between brackets 2 and 3. If everyone paid the same amount then the lower tiers would certainly have to pay more taxes.

Edited October 19, 2009 by Sousuke

[GabiandVi 34]

I still don't see how taking a larger percentage of income from people who earn more can be described as "fair," nor do I see it making those born with less have greater opportunities. I think if it actually worked, a lot of people would be willing to make the sacrifice. I think a lot of wealthy do give to programs that they deem worthy and effective. I think it is a bit rich (pun intended) for people to self-righteously talk about how they should have the right to spend other people's money.

Perhaps we should examine why the poor remain poor despite our tiered system of taxation. How have the programs we've instituted to help the poor actually raised them up? Does anyone actually think that if we just take more money from the "greedy rich" and spend it on the poor it will make a difference? Things have gotten worse in terms of education and opportunities, not better.

I would actually like to see the underclass have greater opportunities, but I see the result of many of the programs meant to help, and they are not helping. In many cases they are enslaving the poor.