Re: UNCIVIL UNIONS

>I'd settle for leaving the rates as is but closing some of the

loopholes or deductions that are needed at lower income levels but not
at higher levels.  Actually, cleaning up some of the loopholes would
probably allow for lower tax rates and the government would still
collect more.<

That's where I'm at.  Different rates for different people is fundamentally 
wrong and unfair, not to mention an arguable violation of equal protection under 
the law.  


And I think we need to distinguish between tax policy and law enforcement.  I 
think the "tax the rich" mentality is silly and there is no moral or pragmatic 
rationale for it.  On the other hand the abject failure of law enforcement to 
investigate/enforce/prosecute what has gone on with wall street and the banking 
industry is sickening and unconscionable.  But the fact of the latter shouldn't 
be used to justify the former.  Yeah its simplistic but two wrongs don't make a 
right.  Obviously there are differences in degree, but when I didn't have health 
insurance watching people, including inlaws, pop out brat after brat and get 
free health care, food assistance, etc for their irresponsibility it had a far 
more real impact on me than all the wall street bs, (and took place pre 2007).  
All that to say that I'm not forfeiting the right/responsibility to decry 
handouts regardless of the level they take place at.  Besides,  I think 
pitchforks and torches are a far more appropriate response to wallstreet/bankers 
than the "if they're doing it we/you should do it too".     


I will always begrudge the govt. any form of income tax - it is tantamount to 
indentured servitude, (don't get me started on property tax - think you own your 
home?  HA! you are renting it from the govt.).  And I oppose public sector 
unions - there is not the same inequity in bargaining power between the govt. 
and worker that there inherently is in the private sector.  In the private 
sector a union is a legitimate method to level the playing field between 
corporation and individual, and history demonstrates that unions were much 
needed.  In the private sector unions engage in collective bargaining, in the 
public sector it is tantamount to collective extortion.  


Mike F.

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