A column by Paul Krugman added a bit more to the non-taxpayer
 theme of the republicans. As you may recall, Mitt Romney made a
 big deal about 47% of Americans paying no taxes. Which was a lie
 to begin with, but that's another matter.

 However, that figure included those who don't hold jobs so they
 don't have to pay income taxes, including those retired on
 social security with low incomes. Then there are those like
 military personnel in the war zone, but a lot of them will start
 paying income taxes under republican rules if they get passed,
 as only those in combat units will be exempted.

 I knew Paul Ryan wanted to reduce taxes for the rich, including
 eliminating the estate tax. What I hadn't known is, Paul Ryans
 tax plan included eliminating capital gains taxes, and taxes on
 dividends. Since the very rich seldom are very rich because of
 earned income, those changes could lead to the .1% becomeing
 part of those paying no federal taxes on their incomes.

 Now right wingers like to tout the rich as paying most of the
 income taxes, yet Paul Ryan wanted to wipe out all taxes on
 income for the very rich. Even those who hold positions as
 executives in companies could chose to receive a token salary,
 thus avoiding taxes even on that income.

 Imagine the Walton family, whose entire fortune is built on
 inherited wealth, and Forbes, and how many others, never paying
 another penny of tax on their incomes, and then passing that
 same benefit to their heirs.

 OTOH, maybe that's a good idea, maybe that will be what it takes
 to get it through to the American people that the rich are
 actually drastically under taxed.


BOB KLAHN bob.klahn{at}sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

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