Graduated income tax.

[pnorman]

There was a discussion on DU a few months ago, about various methods of taxation. I was surprised to learn that Adam Smith himself had been in favor of a graduated tax. The assertion seems to have been well supported by web references, including passages from Adam Smith's own writings. I had meant to bookmark that discussion, but apparently forgot. Can anyone here help?

pnorman

[ret5hd]

1. I can't help directly, but...

if you don't get an answer in this thread, consider a new thread with a subject of:

Adam Smith Favored A Flat-Tax!

and in the body:

Care to dispute that?


i'm SURE you would get an answer that way.

[pnorman]

2. thanks. I'll consider it if I get no response on this thread.

There are plenty of knowledgable people here. It's just a matter of hoping to catch their eye. That's sometimes pretty chancey, considering how many posts come through every hour.

pnorman

[OneBlueSky]

3. Top Federal Individual Income Tax Rates, 1960-2004

[TahitiNut]

4. Top Marginal Federal Individual Income Tax Rates, 1916-2010

[pnorman]

5. I dug out this quote by Adam Smith:

"The subjects of every state ought to contribute toward the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities; that is, in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy?a goal of taxation should be to remedy inequality of riches as much as possible, by relieving the poor and burdening the rich."

"in proportion to their respective abilities" I think any reasonable prerson would read that to be "graduated".

A flat tax could be "fair", ONLY if the zero tax cut-off were to be set pretty high ... I mean REALLY high. Guess how THAT would go over at Bush's Pioneer Club?

pnorman