Why do conservatives say poor don't pay taxes?

Dis · July 7, 2003, 21:30

Hannity specifically. And Colmes isn't challenging him on it. Is this true?

Why is it when I was in the military I had to pay taxes when I made $18,000 a year or less? Am I doing something wrong? Or do I have to have kids to get out of paying taxes.

Does anyone know how the tax brackets break down? I'd like to see the tax brackets.

If I was paying taxes when I didn't have to, I will be real pissed

.

Asher · July 7, 2003, 21:33

Why do liberals say conservatives say poor don't pay taxes?

yavoon · July 7, 2003, 21:35

some amt of money isnt taxed. like the first 10k? so u'd pay taxes on the last 8k, probably on whatever the lowest tax rate is.

then u can start on deductions, but thats what gets poor people is they are usually unaware of what they can deduct.

DinoDoc · July 7, 2003, 21:35

Are we talking about income taxes or sales taxes?

Dis · July 7, 2003, 21:36

that makes no sense Asher.

I just heard Hannity say that on Hannity and Colmes.

I want to know if it was true.

If I'm paying taxes, and I don't have to I will be pissed.

I suppose I could get out of paying taxes if I was irresponsible and had a lot of kids.

dino- income tax of course. everyone pays sales tax- if they buy items that have sales tax on them. and we all know the poor have to buy their hooch to get drunk on.

Spiffor · July 7, 2003, 21:37

In any place where there is VAT (edit: I mean sales taxes), where there is tax on housing's superficy, or where there is pretty much any form of taxation except income tax, the poor pay taxes too.

DRoseDARs · July 7, 2003, 21:38

Why do conservatives say poor don't pay taxes?

Because they think Welfare sets one up for life if they know how to "work the system..."

Boris Godunov · July 7, 2003, 21:41

I believe the lower limit on taxable income is something like $12-$14K, I don't know.

But poor people do pay state and local tax, IIRC, and, of course, sales taxes. As a percentage of their income, sales taxes take quite a chunk more out of a poor person's wallet compared to middle- and upper-class people

DinoDoc · July 7, 2003, 21:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
dino- income tax of course.

I never paid it then.

Quote:

But poor people do pay state and local tax, IIRC,

I never paid State income tax either.

The Templar · July 7, 2003, 21:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
Why do liberals say conservatives say poor don't pay taxes?

Because, if you are a "lucky ducky" blessed by an income far below poverty, you may qualify for the earned income credit (basically, negative income tax).

Of course, you still pay sales tax, which can be a killer if you are poor enough to qualify for the EIC.

Asher · July 7, 2003, 21:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
I believe the lower limit on taxable income is something like $12-$14K, I don't know.

But poor people do pay state and local tax, IIRC, and, of course, sales taxes. As a percentage of their income, sales taxes take quite a chunk more out of a poor person's wallet compared to middle- and upper-class people

What's interesting in Canada at least, is the first $7200 is untaxable for federal tax in Canada, but the first $8000 is untaxable for provincial tax in Alberta.

And Alberta is the right-wing province...

Berzerker · July 7, 2003, 21:45

We all pay taxes the moment we buy something (legally of course), but Hannity's talking about federal income tax which excludes sales taxes and the payroll tax. But you'd have to be pretty poor to not pay any federal income tax. I believe the minimum for singles is ~7,500 and couples ~13,000 to start paying income taxes.

Berzerker · July 7, 2003, 21:51

Quote:

And Alberta is the right-wing province...

Which is why I reject the idea that there is a big difference between liberals and conservatives. When it comes to money, there just isn't much of a difference. That's why so many conservatives emphasis social issues...

Kidicious · July 7, 2003, 21:51

The better question is why conservatives think that the poor should pay taxes. Are they pro-poverty? Answer: Yes

Dis · July 7, 2003, 21:52

the poor shouldn't pay their share? They should get a free ride? They aren't accountable to society at all?

I must disagree.

Asher · July 7, 2003, 21:53

No no no, it's not a free ride, they would be decorating our street and contributing to our culture.

Berzerker · July 7, 2003, 21:54

Hey Kid, the poor pay taxes because there aren't enough rich people to pay for the liberal welfare state. When the income tax was first proposed back in the 1910's, proponents claimed the tax would only apply to the very richest people and would never go above %10.

Kidicious · July 7, 2003, 21:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
the poor shouldn't pay their share? They should get a free ride? They aren't accountable to society at all?

I must disagree.

So they should be made poorer?

Kidicious · July 7, 2003, 21:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Berzerker
Hey Kid, the poor pay taxes because there aren't enough rich people to pay for the liberal welfare state. When the income tax was first proposed back in the 1910's, proponents claimed the tax would only apply to the very richest people and would never go above %10.

I agree with you, but I think that tax revenue could be increased and the poverty rate could be decreased if there were less conservatives.

yavoon · July 7, 2003, 22:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Kidicious

So they should be made poorer?

I don't like being made poorer either!

Berzerker · July 7, 2003, 22:00

Quote:

So they should be made poorer?

You want to make the rest of us poorer because we have some debt to "society", so why not everyone?

Sava · July 7, 2003, 22:01

It's known as bait and switch. Americans get baited into supporting Republican "tax cuts" while other, more regressive taxes get put into place (i.e. sales taxes, etc). Truth be told, Republican policies don't get rid of taxes, they simply shift more of the burden onto poor and middle classes while giving their rich constituents huge "gifts". A lot of money from those tax cuts find their way into campaign contributions. It's a cycle of bribery, theft from the American people, and a disservice to the general welfare of America.

Kidicious · July 7, 2003, 22:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Berzerker

You want to make the rest of us poorer because we have some debt to "society", so why not everyone?

You're poor? I don't think so.

Dis · July 7, 2003, 22:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Kidicious

So they should be made poorer?

you commies have a backward way of thinking

. Everyone is made poorer by taxes- yes even the rich. everyone should pay their fair share.

It's why we call it society.

Nubclear · July 7, 2003, 22:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
Why do liberals say conservatives say poor don't pay taxes?

Why do conservatives say liberals say conservatives say poor don't pay taxes?

Dis · July 7, 2003, 22:05

by fair share. I do mean the rich should pay the most taxes. I fully support 50 to 60% taxes on rich people.

But I don't think poor people should get a free ride. They should pay 4 or 5% taxes.

Kidicious · July 7, 2003, 22:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident

you commies have a backward way of thinking

. Everyone is made poorer by taxes- yes even the rich. everyone should pay their fair share.

It's why we call it society.

You have to be poor to be made poorer. Poor is a relative term. There is no way that you can tax the rich and make them poor unless you taxed them so much that they had less money than those who used to be poor.

Oh, and you guys are the ones who think backward.

MrFun · July 7, 2003, 22:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
Hannity specifically. And Colmes isn't challenging him on it. Is this true?

Why is it when I was in the military I had to pay taxes when I made $18,000 a year or less? Am I doing something wrong? Or do I have to have kids to get out of paying taxes.

Does anyone know how the tax brackets break down? I'd like to see the tax brackets.

If I was paying taxes when I didn't have to, I will be real pissed

.

Ever hear of this thing called propaganda.

Conservatives just love duping the middle and lower classes into thinking they're looking after their interests.

*** runs for flame-proof suit ***

Kidicious · July 7, 2003, 22:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
by fair share. I do mean the rich should pay the most taxes. I fully support 50 to 60% taxes on rich people.

But I don't think poor people should get a free ride. They should pay 4 or 5% taxes.

Why don't you ask yourself why they have to be poor instead of asking why they don't pay taxes? Isn't that a much better question?

Berzerker · July 7, 2003, 22:09

Quote:

I agree with you, but I think that tax revenue could be increased and the poverty rate could be decreased if there were less conservatives.

Did LBJ's war on poverty decrease poverty?

Quote:

You're poor? I don't think so.

Didn't say I was, but I was poor and even then I was paying taxes to support the liberal welfare state supposedly to alleviate poverty.