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Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We can and must improve things iteratively. Just because we can't fix everything doesn't mean we shouldn't fix a

• cyphar 8y ago
  The issue is that the reason why governments have tax cuts for certain groups is because that's how they win votes. Tax codes are so complicated in almost every democratic country in the world specifically because such complicated tax codes serve a purpose. The difference between governments is who is getting the tax breaks. Progressive governments give tax breaks and stipends to ordinary workers, while conservative governments give it to corporations and the wealthy. In order to gain or stay in power you need to make sure your key supporters are looked after. This is as true in dictatorships as it is in democracies.
  • jpfed 8y ago
    >The issue is that the reason why governments have tax cuts for certain groups is because that's how they win votes. Isn't that an oversimplification, though? Governments also use tax cuts to shape behavior.
    • cyphar 8y ago
      I would argue that shaping behaviour is another aspect of looking after your key supporters. If you put taxes on speculative trading, such traders won't vote for you -- but people who are against speculative trading will. If you give speculative traders a tax cut, the inverse happens. It also obviously will shape behaviour, but if that was the only purpose then the government wouldn't be fulfilling their primary purpose: trying to stay in power as long as possible so they can achieve whatever they set out to do.
      • philipov 8y ago
        If you're a career politician, "Stay in power as long is possible" is the thing you set out to do.