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You have the campaign for a sales tax to replace
the income tax in the USA. In Australia there is a campaign to introduce
a "debit" tax - which taxes the movement of monies out of the banking
system. You have the proponents of VAT/GST style taxes. And at the
"lower" end of the tax reform movement, you have those who are trying
to flatten tax and remove the progressive nature of tax scales.
This is not new of course. History is replete with tax reformers.
One of the most famous in the US was probably Henry George. His
idea was that land should not be owned by individuals, but by the
state - and "leased" to the citizens. In other words, a land tax.
Then there was Social Credit theory - as promoted
by Major CH Douglas in the UK and Commonwealth in the 30s. His tax
ideas were quite revolutionary - he was quite sure we could do away
with it entirely, and replace it with a national "dividend" - or
monetary payment to each and every citizen.
It is interesting that the two latter ideas
- by far the most unusual - arose out of the era known as the "Great
Depression". Unusual times lead to unusual proposals. And we're
approaching "unusual" times again - particularly if the global economy
goes into a major recession. There is no doubt that if such a thing
occurs - then a chorus of voices will be raised, calling for reforms
to do with the money and tax systems.
So, to get in quick, here's my humble contribution.
This idea is guaranteed to cause major arguments, and could even
get you tarred and feathered if you suggest it to anyone. So keep
it to yourself - or at least, amongst those of like mind.
My idea is original - in that I came up with
it myself, but no doubt someone else has had a similar idea. I don't
intend to campaign for this idea, and have no illusions that it
could ever become a reality. I simply offer it as "fodder" for an
after dinner discussion when you're among freedom-loving friends!
Okay, here it is: Make a change in the law that says only tax payers
can vote.
By taxpayers, I mean those who earn their money
and pay tax - not those who receive tax money and pay tax on that.
I'm sure you can see the ramifications. No politicians would be
able to vote (as their pay comes out of tax monies), no welfare
recipients would be able to vote (they are also tax receivers),
and no government workers would be able to vote (as their wages
all come out of the tax take).
As you can see, this idea has grown out of the
maxim: no taxation without representation - but has been reversed:
"no representation without taxation"! Now, I'm quite sure that if
ONLY tax payers were allowed to vote, then the tax rate would come
down drastically.
Oh well, even hardened offshore advocates like
me are allowed to "dream" once in a while!
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