Nothing 'equal' about flat tax

There is a considerable push in Illinois for ending the state's flat income tax and instituting a graduated income tax, with those receiving higher incomes paying a higher proportion of their income in taxes. This proposal is dubbed by the governor as the" Fair Tax." Interestingly, some economists are still promoting a flat tax, even at the federal level, due to its "fairness" and "efficiency." Under a flat tax, those with lower incomes pay the same percent as those with higher incomes.

I have an idea. Why don't we provide each American with an income equal to the average of all incomes of American citizens. That would be, as of 2014 and according to the United States Census Bureau, an income of $72, 641.00. If everyone had that income, it would be "fair" and "efficient." It would make the IRS useless, and, everyone would send the same amount of income taxes directly to the federal government.

I'm sure there would be no opposition to the concept of that "fair" income and that "fair" tax.

I'm just guessing, but I would think that high-income earners would rather pay more in taxes than limit themselves to the same income as everyone else.

A flat-tax percentage means more to a low-income person than it does to a high-income person. There is nothing "equal" about a flat tax.

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required", Luke 12:48, in the King James Version of the Bible.

Karen Wagner

Rolling Meadows