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Make it a holiday and move the election to the day after tax day: "Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one o

Make it a holiday and move the election to the day after tax day: "Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders." - Thomas Sowell

ojbyrne 5y ago
Or it would encourage politicians to make sure more of your paycheck is withheld, to make 100% sure you end up with a big refund.
dlp211 5y ago
What a trite and overly simplistic idea. First is the idea that Government spending is bad. Second is the idea that Government spending is controlled directly by taxes. Third is the idea that a majority of people actually pay any income tax at the end of the year. Fourth is the idea that people understand their taxes. Fifth is the idea that it is income taxes are the only taxes. I could go on, but I digress.
- User23 5y ago
  You’ve not said anything obviously false, but I also don’t see you making any kind of a point. I think you’re attempting to imply one though and I’m curious what it is.
- throwkeep 5y ago
  > First is the idea that Government spending is bad. It's not saying that all spending is bad. The point is to have some pushback so it's not so wastefully spent. Some efficiency would be welcome by all, I think.
  - User23 5y ago
    > Some efficiency would be welcome by all, I think. That’s a silly thing to think when observably many are benefiting from that waste and inefficiency.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
- tablespoon 5y ago
  >> "Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders." - Thomas Sowell > What a trite and overly simplistic idea. First is the idea that Government spending is bad. Second is the idea that Government spending is controlled directly by taxes. Third is the idea that a majority of people actually pay any income tax at the end of the year. Fourth is the idea that people understand their taxes. Fifth is the idea that it is income taxes are the only taxes. And sixth is the idea that it's even necessary. Pretty much my entire adult life has been major tax cut after major tax cut, one useful starved government program after another (the Strategic National Stockpile anyone?), and a ballooning deficit.
newhotelowner 5y ago
> "Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders." This is the reason why we have to file tax papers. State & federal can calculate taxes for majority of the people but don't because a group "" want people to suffer and revolt against income tax. All politicians wants to cut spending but just not for the area they represent.
- kfrzcode 5y ago
  The biggest reason we don't have automatic tax filing in the U.S. is the Intuit & H&R Block lobbyists fighting against it. According to this ProPublica report, that is. https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-f...
  - myfavoritedog 5y ago
    HN is really fucked these days. I see so many comments like yours that try to present factual data, but are spitefully downvoted - and obviously because those facts are inconvenient to a political party that is flirting with fascism.
- bushbaba 5y ago
  As the saying goes. Out of sight out of mind.
nickysielicki 5y ago
I’ve always liked the idea of just reusing the Fourth of July. I think there would be a lot less animosity from the losing parties if everyone was celebrating America on the same day.
- black_yarn 5y ago
  I love this idea, but patriotism in the United States is mostly an act. Asking people to back their 'love of country' with an actual deed (especially one that shortens their time at the barbecue) would spoil the illusion.

ojbyrne 5y ago

Or it would encourage politicians to make sure more of your paycheck is withheld, to make 100% sure you end up with a big refund.

dlp211 5y ago

What a trite and overly simplistic idea. First is the idea that Government spending is bad. Second is the idea that Government spending is controlled directly by taxes. Third is the idea that a majority of people actually pay any income tax at the end of the year. Fourth is the idea that people understand their taxes. Fifth is the idea that it is income taxes are the only taxes. I could go on, but I digress.

User23 5y ago
You’ve not said anything obviously false, but I also don’t see you making any kind of a point. I think you’re attempting to imply one though and I’m curious what it is.
throwkeep 5y ago
> First is the idea that Government spending is bad. It's not saying that all spending is bad. The point is to have some pushback so it's not so wastefully spent. Some efficiency would be welcome by all, I think.
- User23 5y ago
  > Some efficiency would be welcome by all, I think. That’s a silly thing to think when observably many are benefiting from that waste and inefficiency.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
tablespoon 5y ago
>> "Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders." - Thomas Sowell > What a trite and overly simplistic idea. First is the idea that Government spending is bad. Second is the idea that Government spending is controlled directly by taxes. Third is the idea that a majority of people actually pay any income tax at the end of the year. Fourth is the idea that people understand their taxes. Fifth is the idea that it is income taxes are the only taxes. And sixth is the idea that it's even necessary. Pretty much my entire adult life has been major tax cut after major tax cut, one useful starved government program after another (the Strategic National Stockpile anyone?), and a ballooning deficit.

newhotelowner 5y ago

> "Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders." This is the reason why we have to file tax papers. State & federal can calculate taxes for majority of the people but don't because a group "" want people to suffer and revolt against income tax. All politicians wants to cut spending but just not for the area they represent.

kfrzcode 5y ago
The biggest reason we don't have automatic tax filing in the U.S. is the Intuit & H&R Block lobbyists fighting against it. According to this ProPublica report, that is. https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-f...
- myfavoritedog 5y ago
  HN is really fucked these days. I see so many comments like yours that try to present factual data, but are spitefully downvoted - and obviously because those facts are inconvenient to a political party that is flirting with fascism.
bushbaba 5y ago
As the saying goes. Out of sight out of mind.

nickysielicki 5y ago

I’ve always liked the idea of just reusing the Fourth of July. I think there would be a lot less animosity from the losing parties if everyone was celebrating America on the same day.

black_yarn 5y ago
I love this idea, but patriotism in the United States is mostly an act. Asking people to back their 'love of country' with an actual deed (especially one that shortens their time at the barbecue) would spoil the illusion.