Comments on Is the purpose of taxes to create revenue, or to be fair?

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Re: The taxation system should be both fair and generate revenue for the
And that's precisely the problem - Who defines what is fair, and by what standard? The problem is, standards do not apply to fairness. That's why I argue that "fairness" in taxes, or anything else in which the Government or anyone in it decides what is or is not "fair," is going to be inherently unfair to somebody.

posted by WriterofLight on April 20, 2008 at 8:00 PM | link to this | reply

The taxation system should be both fair and generate revenue for the
nation.  I disagree with Obama on this issue.  Capital gains taxes are inherently unfair in that they tax investments.  Investing is what makes the business world go round.  Businesses employ.  More capital gains means less return on an investment; less returns means less investment and less investors; profits are not as high or nonexistent due to nonexpansion; nonexpansion leads to stasis or business atrophication; this all leads to less jobs.  Who wins in this system?   Initially, the government.  Afterward, nobody.

posted by saul_relative on April 18, 2008 at 11:12 AM | link to this | reply