The growing dependent class

Nearly half (49.5%) of Americans don’t pay income tax. At first, you might be appalled, but let’s not lose sight of the true problem. The bottom 50% pay no income tax, but considering that I don’t believe anyone should be paying an income tax, that doesn’t concern me. What I do find troubling is the amount of government dependence in the bottom 50%.

In 1984, just just 14.8% of Americans didn’t pay income taxes. In the past 28 years, this has resulted in increasing redistribution of wealth and dependence on government. This group isn’t paying taxes, many are dependent on government, and in many cases, being rewarded for bad decisions.

The authors of the study added this quote, which should make us all think about the road to ruin we are heading down.

“This trend should concern everyone who supports America’s republican form of government,” Beach and Tyrrell wrote. “If the citizens’ representatives are elected by an increasing percentage of voters who pay no income tax, how long will it be before these representatives respond more to demands for yet more entitlements and subsidies from non-payers than to the pleas of taxpayers to exercise greater spending prudence?”

Group protests U2′s tax avoidance in Glastonbury

Irish Rock band U2 doesn't like paying taxes, but likes to suggest ways to spend taxpayer dollars.

It’s no secret that Bono and his U2 band mates aren’t fans of high taxes. Most people aren’t, but U2, and Bono in particular, are quite possibly the biggest hypocrites around. They like to champion causes requiring taxpayer dollars, but don’t like to actually contribute the money that would finance that spending.

Last night, at the band’s Glastonbury performance, a group called Art Uncut hoisted a large balloon that read, “U pay your taxes 2.” Of course, security shut that down quickly, since it isn’t permissible to expose U2′s charade. » read more

U2 and Bono: Not a fan of high taxes

It looks like U2 lead singer Bono likes spending taxpayer dollars, but not paying taxes.

Some people in Ireland are criticizing U2 and Bono for avoiding taxes in Ireland by moving operations to neighboring countries, where tax rates are lower. The group is planning on staging a very visible protest at an upcoming show to bring attention to the band’s actions.

Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with U2′s actions. What some people forget is that besides being a band, U2 is a business. In order to maximize profits, you need to analyze your expenses and keep them down. Finding a place with a favorable tax climate makes perfect sense. The problems arise when you look at the band’s actions over the years and realize what hypocrites they are. » read more

We need a balanced budget amendment

The United States is looking at massive deficits and a growing National Debt that will strangle the economy. The principal and interests payments on the debt are also a large part of the deficit. Obviously, the first thing we should do is reduce, then eliminate the deficit. Once we start living within our means, we can pay off the debt, and we can eventually stop paying the huge principal and interest payments.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Democrats think the key to solving the debt issue is to raise taxes and not touch social programs. Republicans feel we need to make major cuts to social programs and avoid raising taxes. Who is right? Both of them. Who is wrong? Both of them. » read more

Don’t cut taxes, eliminate them

We need to eliminate taxes. At first glance, you might think this is a ridiculous statement. After all, how do you eliminate taxes without compromising necessary government services? Government bureaucracy can be excessive and wasteful, but there are necessary services and functions that would need to be preserved. Therefore, you don’t eliminate all taxes, you eliminate most taxes.

As citizens, one of the big problems we face is excessive taxation. If you think about it, these taxes and fees come from a myriad of places and can be tough to follow. You might have heard local or state politicians brag when they “cut” taxes. What they didn’t tell you is that they reduced one tax, but likely increased a few other taxes and fees. Sure, you won’t be paying as much in one particular tax, but make no mistake, you will pay. » read more

A tax on plastic bags: What’s next?

Starting on January, 1st 2010, Washington, D.C. will require businesses that sell food or alcohol to impose a 5 cent tax on each plastic bag used by a consumer. At first, you might think this will lead to an increased grocery bill, but it will actually lead to a larger shopping bill in general.

According to the article, any store which sells food must impose the tax. That means that supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, bakeries, and larger retailers will also be charging for bags, since they sell food. Sure, you can buy reusable bags to avoid the 5 cent tax, but are you going to bring the bags into nearly every store you visit? » read more