Where is the call for reform of our tax system?

[kentuck]

Sometimes the Democrats will mention it in passing. But then, the wealthy people - like Donald Trump - start whining about the "highest corporate income tax rate in the world", and it is soon forgotten.

How many companies, corporations, and people like Trump are not paying any taxes at all? And they complain about our huge deficits and our debt and how we can't afford Social Security and Medicare anymore.

But, can it be any more obvious that our tax system needs serious reform? The wealthy do need to pay their fair share. We do need to go back to a progressive income tax system.

This should be a priority for the Democratic Party. If they can't bring themselves to address the issue, then perhaps we should find a Party that will?

[tammywammy]

1. Hillary on tax reform

https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/a-fair-tax-system/

[beachbumbob]

2. This topic is now headline worthy and will place conservatives on the defense

All democratic candidates must tie their opponents to trump and their obstruction to tax code reform....this is a huge issue that can resonate..

[kentuck]

3. Yes. They should ask, "Is Donald Trump the best person to reform our tax code"?

and point out that he wants even more loopholes for himself and his wealthy friends. He is playing America for a sucker.

[TheFarseer]

5. My favorite is Republicans pretending

The tax brackets are what is so confusing about taxes. Modern tax software calculates it for you and un-modern tax tables in a book calculates it for you. You never need to even have any clue what the tax brackets are. It's the most disingenuous argument ever. BTW- The deductions and credits that actually are confusing is what they love because it gets them out of paying their fair share.

Oops, meant to reply to the op

[Igel]

4. Don't know about the latest wrangle.

If you lose money in a business, or have virtually no income, either way it seems inappropriate to pay much in taxes.

People and businesses get to that point in numerous ways.

Some people just don't make money, or not enough. There are a fair number of such people in the US, but not nearly as many as reported.

Some people have write-offs and deductions to reduce their taxable income below what's taxable or to reduce their net taxes. I do this. Everybody I know does this. Most of those who don't pay federal income taxes fall into this category, in fact: They start with $30k income (more than enough to pay taxes) and after taking deductions for dependents, the standard deduction, credit for this and that, deductions for various things, find that their net income tax liability is $0.

Businesses do the exact same thing.

Some people scrabble for deductions. They find ways to deduct transportation, health care, interest, job-related expenses, use of their house for work, etc., etc. Some to go extremes. Some hire accountants and plop large piles of mortgage, utility, gasoline, etc., receipts with an accounting as to how they used their car and house for work or volunteer activities. (Yes, volunteer mileage over a certain dollar amount is, or at least used to be, tax deductible.)

Most don't do this kind of penny-pinching. Thing is, they're all legal, even if sometimes they're pushed past where legality allows, and typically if you find that you overlooked something that's not really grasping you feel like a chump. You paid more than you needed to, and shouldn't you let others pick up their burden?

Haven't ever heard anybody, (D) or (R) or (L) or (G) or socialist or communist declare that they avoided tax deductions because they wanted to contribute what they thought was their fair share. It's sort of the American conceit--we're owed great things, but others should pay for it. Yet don't dare call them "entitlements." They're not "entitlements" but they are just things we're entitled to because we earned them and deserve them. They're rights owed to us. Go figure.

The enemy must always be vilified whenever possible. Even if they're like us.

[kentuck]

6. Excellent points!

It seems it is the struggle between competing ideas within a socialist society?

What kind of schools and roads and military do we want? And who is going to pay for it?

How much wealth do we need as simple individuals? How much do we want?

Well, it would be nice to have a spare jet in storage parking at all the airports that we visit.

It is up to society to make the rules.

[librechik]

7. check the Dem platform--serious Tax reform is there--not that media wants to cover that n/t

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. K&R what amazes me is the lack of recommendations on this Opening Post.