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Think about it this way. If everyone but me gets a 50% tax and I get a 0% tax, does this seem fair? Assuming that the government provides some value to society

• mhb 17y ago
  I understand the inequity you're pointing out. But calling this a subsidy suggests that there is some baseline that the government is justified in taking and that what we retain is a subsidy that is allowed us by the good grace of the government. Which is exactly backwards. Your interpretation of what a subsidy is is also subject to the vagaries of where you choose to set the baseline for the funding to which the government is entitled. Is everything less than that a subsidy? Also, in this case in particular, I'd guess that the people taking advantage of the tax break for golf club membership are above whatever baseline you would set.
  • codexon 17y ago
    If you interpret the government as providing no value to society whatsoever, then I could see your point. However, if you believe the government does provide value, any baseline would equalize your income with everyone else in the population, thus not really decreasing the buying power of the money you earn. The only part where this would not be the case is if the rulers kept most of the money to themselves (a monarchy) or to a select group (unfortunately happening with Goldman Sachs recently.).Then value of your money would truly be unfairly decreased.