Stopped watching after the 23% rate discussion...
Seems like the right thing to do, but I'm still not smart enough to understand how i could see my tax rate drop from approaching 40% to the low to mid 20% range.  Also, this system would seem to require a massive overhaul of local governments.  How do you account for the amount spent in my Long Island school system, with its above average salaries and the promises made for pensions, healthcare...and one in Wyoming?  Not to mention the impact on housing prices from losing the interest deduction...seems like a whole pandora box of issues to deal with rather than just comparing rates and gross revenues on a federal level.

can i get a witness?

taxes aren't going away, but our system could be much more honest and efficient

i'd be interested in thoughts/opinions

Fair enough. If we did something about the debt the interest problem would go away, I'm not sure how to approach the military complex, it's just so ingrained I don't think it can be cut anymore. Too bad, because having that machine sitting around leads to people wanting to use it for something. 

I think that paying for things were we get an indirect benefit is part of it. Lots of others are paying somewhere for things you are overpaying for. On balance, those who have a little  more contribute it to upkeep of the community that is nice for everyone. The direct upside benefits here are typically proportionally better for those who put more in as well – if property values go up 10%, I make more back than the guy down the street in the hovel that is worth half the value of my house.

I honestly don't know what my overall burden is. I tend to look at the component pieces.  I don't think the taxes laden on my cell phone bill are a good value, I do think my property taxes are, Sales taxes are a bit on the high side, but my community is pretty nice so that works out. Federal taxes at a little better than 17$ have reached the point where I don't feel like I'm underpaying anymore. I don't feel particularly burdened either and given the safety, security, and relative peace I live in I think it's a fair bargain. The fact that I can identify and complain about the things that bother me within the government probably indicates that they are providing a reasonable level of protection and service. Sure it could be a lot better and I'll work toward that, but it could be a lot worse too, so I'll appreciate that fact.

Your library sounds like it's poorly managed. But I bet the kids without access to it's services would disagree. There's probably waste and corruption there, but if you just close down the library and the kids turn into the neighborhood hoodlums, you'll spend more than $400 on insurance and police services to go after them.

It's based on all taxes paid divided by gross.  About 38% give or take 1% for my estimate on sales tax.  Given the average global tax rates, US rates are still below average.  And no, I dont mind paying this rate, but I don't think its a good value given how my dollars are spent.  As Mr. Miami pointed out in the Economix forum, with most of my federal tax going to pay defense and interest, mismanagement and abuse among welfare and healthcare programs, most of my property taxes going to pension payments for overpaid teachers (I know that's unique for the Long Island area, having lived in many other areas of the country, I know teachers are generally underpaid)...

Here's a simple example.  In my town the average property tax for the library system is about $400.  I once calculated the average checkout from the library costs about $50 each given the volume and total budget.  I enjoy the library, but not at this cost. 

So again, I wouldn't mind paying 40% all-in, but not for the crappy service and value I receive.  We could do a lot better.  But everyone has their hand in the cookie jar and doesn't want to give up their ill-gotten gains.

Genuinely curious how you arrived at that number.  Is it all taxes paid divided by income or a summing of tax rates. Either way it sort of misses the base reason for the question. Property taxes are based (somewhat) on value, sales is based on spending, FICA is a couple of separate programs funded (ideally) by those particular taxes and are really more of an insurance program that a tax for a set of services.  

And do you feel you got an appropriate value for your spend? I guess this would have to be qualified against each component, but I was mainly asking about the federal rates.

It all started when Manbird...

Sounds like a challenge.

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name.   yet....  

Fixed it for you.

I feel about the same. I actually found a post from last year where I said I thought my rate should be about 17%. Last year it was 14% and I felt like I was getting  a great deal. I'm at 17% now and it's not feeling like such a deal, but still fairly close.  The actual numbers are hard to stomach though. 

What could go wrong?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrito_Embargo 

I say we annex Mexico, and charge the Mexicans rental to live there. THEN, sell the Chinese cheap labor at a profit.

i like it

may i buy you a corona and a taco?

It should be a flat 17% across the board.Then let the local state/municipal entities add on as their constituents want/allow.

 

 That was the last semi intelligent statement I'll make on this,or any other matter.

 From here on,I refuse to be smart.

 The Orioles have an afternoon game.Screw the economy,gummint and the world.

 Have a nice day all.
 

My all-in rate - fed, fica, state, prop, sales...- is just about 40%.  Had to cut a check this year, which makes me happy since I didn't pay the bastards early.