Keynesian bullshit.

REAL economists at Cato and Mises regularly debunk Buffett's calls for higher taxes.

As do you, I see :)

I mean isn't his argument just that keeping the revenue from the state tax will fund the budget, and that tax laws in general are creating the rise of 'dynastic' wealth? I mean, you may certainly be morally opposed to the idea of taxing the rich or taxing in general but he's essentially just saying that the government should tax the rich so it can fund the projects that the american people have (very)indirectly voted for. How is his statement more Keynesian bullshit than the way the federal government acts in general?

How is his statement more Keynesian bullshit than the way the federal government acts in general?

It isn't -- but he's encouraging them... Besides, low-taxes are far less responsible for the (growing) wealth-gap than other government policies. Inflation, for example hurts the middle-class, but benefits the rich -- but 99% of the people in power are committed to a state of constant inflation...

Tax fairly, by % of income, or stop taxing altogether.

i'm taxed of roughly 36% of my income every year,and am lucky if i can get 10% of that back through deductions

it amuses me that probably the vast majority of people opposed to estate tax increases would never reach the threshold of having to pay them in the first place.

Also, I'm no economist but it seems to me that since those with greater amounts of capital are able to reap greater reward from that capital and should thus pay a premium on that ability.

I pay my fair share of my income in taxes, I do not cheat or inflate deductions, and it is less the amount i am paying that pisses me off, rather the waste and fraud which deprives that tax from reaching those (people and projects) who really could use a hand.

'it amuses me that probably the vast majority of people opposed to estate tax increases would never reach the threshold of having to pay them in the first place. '

It's the principle...

I am a minarchist -- I don't believe that the government is an effective participant in most of the 'people and projects' that it attempts to involve itself in.

That said, the graduated tax does more harm than good, because while YOU may not cheat or inflate deductions, the higher brackets do. No income tax (and an assload less government) is the best system, but I am willing to compromise on a 10-15%, no-deductions flat tax -- a globally competitive tax rate which will eliminate the incentive for the wealthy to move their assets offshore to various tax-havens. The way it stands right now, the heaviest tax burden is on the middle class.

Or, taxes could just be decided by income. Regardless of who or what the earner is (business or parent or crackhead) and they should be figured based upon a flat % of earned income. No loopholes for anyone, especially the richest.

...and if they wish to relocate, fuck them.

Heh, taxes man...they are just...like...uncool...rite?

Nope. Taxes are needed. I just think that the rich should have to pay their fair share.

Joe Publics 50K per year should be taxed 3% (random number)

Pfizers $$$,$$$,$$$ per year should be taxed 3% as well.

Apply a fixed % to everyone who lives or sells in America.

infectionconnection: it is less the amount i am paying that pisses me off, rather the waste and fraud

me too

Wotak: While I disagree that an INCOME tax is needed (I actually prefer a VAT/sales tax system), if we are going to have one, I agree with your assertion. Pick a percentage and then everyone pays it -- maybe have a minimum threshold where it kicks in...

50k/year at 10% is $5,000 -- not horrible at all.
5 million/year at 10% is $500,000 -- with no deductions. You just fucking pay.

Nice and simple. No deductions, no loopholes, no fucking 5,000-page tax codes....

Adnauseum. Get it done, motherfucker. I'll be over here with a gun.

Uart, don't even let them THINK that you would prefer a VAT/GST/sales tax system instead of income tax. Someone did that here, and the politicians didn't here the 'instead of', so now we have both. Income tax starting at 21% and going up to a top rate of 48%, AND a 10% GST on most things we buy, and they add it last, so a product like fuel or tobacco or alcohol that has an excise on it has GST added to the full price, not just the actual cost of the item but on the excise as well. A tax on a tax, if you will.

All politicians are greedy, scum-sucking bottom-feeders.

I don't agree with a pure vat/sales tax system. I think that such a system is extremely regressive, and punishes the poor/middle class. Most if not all billionaires spend a lot less money as a percentage of what they make then the average poor/middle class person. A middle class family might have to spend easily 50+% of it's income on basic things just to get buy. Billionaires might spend 10% of their income on what they buy, and that's probably including ridiculous shit like porsches. Of course these numbers are just examples, but I think I get the point across.

Flat tax. End.