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This would be fine and good if: 1. There was any relation between how much we spent and what we pay in taxes. There isn't. In the U.S., so-called "fiscal conse

This would be fine and good if: 1. There was any relation between how much we spent and what we pay in taxes. There isn't. In the U.S., so-called "fiscal conservatives" routinely give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans while simultaneously voting to increase spending in the largest discretionary spending category we have: the military—which currently represents 53.7% of our discretionary budget. 2. People currently had any idea what they were spending on taxes. In my experience, most people think the amount taken out of their paycheck is all federal taxes. They seemingly make no distinction between social security, 401k contributions, medicare, pre-tax benefits like health insurance, transportation benefits, FSA's, etc., local, state, or federal taxes. It's all just seen as "the government took money from me". It's amazing how many people legitimately think they're taxed over 50% (especially those that are in the 15-25% tax brackets).

Karishma1234 8y ago
I agree with you. The government spending needs to be drastically reduced. > People currently had any idea what they were spending on taxes. This is precisely the opposition to IRS doing your taxes for you. Imagine you receive a bill every month that shows the clearly what all these payments are and you have to write separate checks.
phil21 8y ago
> 2. People currently had any idea what they were spending on taxes Taxes include all the things. Not just Federal income tax. It gets frustrating comparing tax rates to say - European nations - when they typically will be quoting all-in tax rates other than sales tax (VAT) - where the US number will almost invariably list only the federal income tax rate which tells not even half the story in many cases. social security, medicare, medicaid, local income taxes, state income taxes, federal income taxes, real estate taxes, sales taxes. Adding those taxes together equals your total tax load. I think more people are closer to 50% than you'd suspect. Programs like social security and medicare are re-distributive in nature and indistinguishable from taxes - they simply were marketed differently for political reasons. But lets call them what they are. > 401k contributions, pre-tax benefits like health insurance, transportation benefits, FSA's, etc.,. Agreed that those are not taxes - in fact somewhat the opposite! Edit: formatting
- the_gastropod 8y ago
  > Programs like social security and medicare are re-distributive in nature and indistinguishable from taxes I do think the distinction is relevant: The expected result is that you will get every dime you put into social security and medicare back. And then some. They're required savings accounts. Taxes spent on interstates, debt repayment, and the military, however, are truly expenses.
  - phil21 8y ago
    Fair point. This comment put me on a night of research for EV on SS/Medicare and it was enlightening. Thanks!

Karishma1234 8y ago

I agree with you. The government spending needs to be drastically reduced. > People currently had any idea what they were spending on taxes. This is precisely the opposition to IRS doing your taxes for you. Imagine you receive a bill every month that shows the clearly what all these payments are and you have to write separate checks.

phil21 8y ago

> 2. People currently had any idea what they were spending on taxes Taxes include all the things. Not just Federal income tax. It gets frustrating comparing tax rates to say - European nations - when they typically will be quoting all-in tax rates other than sales tax (VAT) - where the US number will almost invariably list only the federal income tax rate which tells not even half the story in many cases. social security, medicare, medicaid, local income taxes, state income taxes, federal income taxes, real estate taxes, sales taxes. Adding those taxes together equals your total tax load. I think more people are closer to 50% than you'd suspect. Programs like social security and medicare are re-distributive in nature and indistinguishable from taxes - they simply were marketed differently for political reasons. But lets call them what they are. > 401k contributions, pre-tax benefits like health insurance, transportation benefits, FSA's, etc.,. Agreed that those are not taxes - in fact somewhat the opposite! Edit: formatting

the_gastropod 8y ago
> Programs like social security and medicare are re-distributive in nature and indistinguishable from taxes I do think the distinction is relevant: The expected result is that you will get every dime you put into social security and medicare back. And then some. They're required savings accounts. Taxes spent on interstates, debt repayment, and the military, however, are truly expenses.
- phil21 8y ago
  Fair point. This comment put me on a night of research for EV on SS/Medicare and it was enlightening. Thanks!