Yep, I have seen this proposed before and on the face of it, it seems a good idea.
You, the individual, receive your income in full and untaxed. You, the individual, chose where and upon what to spend your income. All taxes are effectively levied at the point of sale, but the key point is you, the individual, get to choose what to spend your income on, all of it.
It's the only logical solution to the problems of taxation.
As an intellectual exercise, it works.
In reality, it breaks down. First of all, in such a scenario, sales taxes would have to balloon rapidly to make up for the missing income taxes.
It really wouldn't be all that different when you factor in the excise taxes on things we should curb back from using.
If they need to "balloon rapidly", perhaps the alternate... "decrease spending" would be a
swell idea?
Secondly, government tax revenues would be entirely at the whim of market forces. In a recession such as we are currently experiencing, people would stuff their mattresses rather than spend, leading to a collapse of revenue, and a consequent collapse of state provided services.
And...?? Government agents should only be working voluntarily anyway, not for pay. Anything more than $10,000 for a congressman is way too much. Cut spending there first. Stop building the military industrial complex and keep a good defense. Many solutions to decrease spending if you get down to it. It's not my fault that you can't think of them all by yourself.
Therefore, a compromise position is best, where state revenue is comprised of two components. Sales tax and direct income tax establishing a baseline of revenue which the state has a sufficient source of funds to provide basic services like roads, health, and so forth.
You're probly right. I've long thought that sales tax & property tax should be the two components. New Hampshire only has property tax, but they have a little sales tax that goes toward the county level. New Hampshire really is a model state in many aspects. That's why they've got the Free State Project.
The current system did not happen by accident, you know.
It came from putting us in a pot full of water and gradually turning the heat up. I realize.
One might quibble about tax codes in place all over the world, but ultimately, like all of these things it is a compromise that best fits, and all one will be left with are quibbles.
Like I've said before, look to Egypt as an example that quibbles are not all that we are left with.
If you really want to exclude yourself from this de facto arrangement, feel free.
Stop using roads, health services, welfare, voting rights, electricity, gas, education (clearly, you have already done this), shops, etc.
Electricity and gas are private corporations. I went to private schol... so clearly, I have not used a single thing from the government. We don't have universal health care either, so ... nope not using the government for jack.
Do you realize the number of Supreme Court cases that CLAIM the "de facto government" does NOT own the roads?? They were paid for by the people for all men's PUBLIC use. If you use the roads for PRIVATE, commercial gain, then you are required to have a license. Everybody here pays for the roads in the form of sales tax @ the gas pumps. They ADMIT that the roads belong to the people and we have the RIGHT to use them. The roads DO NOT belong to the government.
Soo.. let's see... what benefit do I get from the government?? POLICE FORCE. That's it. That's all I have ever seen of the government my entire life. I have been stopped 3 or 4 times for exercising my right to FREE TRAVEL, on foot, or on bicycle... and am harassed about stealing things. They think I stole somebody's clothes??? I'm never carrying anything. They just want to be as intrusive as they possibly can.
If Americans saw the benefits that other countries have, maybe Lawful Rebellion wouldn't be on my mind so much.... but I really, really, really dislike the way governments are run here.
... BLACK??
