I'm at work on a memoir. My family sees little of me. My Concord Music Group sees less. Send me an email and you learn I'm in seclusion and won't read it. But I am haunted by something I saw on my TV set this morning as I walked the treadmill in front of it, and I must take the time to get this off my chest.
Governor Rick Perry, reminding me so much of the classiest of sideshow barkers in the travelling carnivals of my youth, was telling the world about his new tax plan this morning. I am as ill-informed on tax matters as a six-year-old, unless it is my granddaughter, and so I have no comment on the plan. But there was this moment, this astounding moment.
Governor Perry was telling us how simple it would be to fill out a tax form for those who bought into his plan And to illustrate his point he pulled out what looked to be a blank 5"x7" card. Fill out the card, write the check, and you're done, he said. "Wait a damned minute," I thought. That would be my entire transaction with the government at tax time?? I fill out the one card stating my income and my deductions (he mentioned charitable giving specifically) and that's it? Can I use both sides? He didn't say, but what the hell, I'll let him have it.
Why do I think it so hilarious? Or is it possible to provide on a card all the backup needed just to prove the income and write-offs and deductions I'd be claiming ? Let alone the other matters that rush to the minds of you who are far more informed.
But holding up a pocket-sized blank card and telling me that filling it out will be all I need do at tax time -- there I am back to thinking of that natty sideshow barker, holding up a vial of some elixir and promising it will cure me of anything that ails me.
Of Rick Perry perhaps?
Robert Reich: The Flat-Tax Fraud, and the Necessity of a Truly Progressive Tax
Ned Lamont: Just Because It Is Bipartisan Does Not Make It Right
How much did you make?
Send it in.
Rick Perry's Tax Plan:
How much did you make?
If it's over $500,000, have a nice day.
If it's under $500,000, send it in.
The second thing being talked about is the "flat tax", which means taxing everyone at the same tax rate on their taxable income. This can be done without tax simplification. The flat tax by itself is not supported by most people when they look at it in isolation. It's only when it gets combined with tax simplification accompanied by the lie that tax simplification won't affect most people that the so-called flat tax gets much support.
But of course, Perry hasn't got much computer experience. And as with most politicians of his age, he can't even conceive of a modern tax strategy, much less a decent jobs initiative for the 21st century.
We have officials who really have very little idea of how to make government a modern, efficient institution. So much paperwork, so little use of effective measures.
Yes, there has been some work done in this way. But it is not nearly enough. We are tied to old ways and inefficient processes. We could probably reduce the cost of government regulation by 80% -- without reducing the regulations themselves with better use of computer and internet resources.
Perry and his index card are dinosaurs. We need to discuss good governance done efficiently. With technology.
.... That's trouble with a capital "T" and that rhymes with "P" and that stands for phool.
hee hee hee...!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qam1fbQmA_s
He wants the least productive people in our society (who only have passive income) to not pay any taxes while all of us working stiffs have to pay for all of the country's load. You can bet when this happens that there will be fewer and fewer jobs because why work to create jobs and have to pay taxes when you can just set on your keester and collect your checks and pay no taxes.
Ahh, somedays I would just love to be Paris Hilton. But, then again.........................
it is such nonsense I can't believe it. if they don't want risk then they can leave it in the FDIC insured bank. AND every dime someone ever paid was taxed before--
we tax when money moves from entity number one to entity number 2 because that economic activity was brought to those entities in part by their personal actions but also in part by virtue of their being in this civilized country, with roads and people and schools, etc.
these investment class people pretending there is something special about their economic activity that means it shouldn't be taxed are outrageous greedy persons.
Need I go on?
POOR you can FINANCE your new tax bill !!!
Right, Perry?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store"
we can have a government ''of, by and for''
the (rich) people