Conscience of a Liberal

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by woot

I do find it amusing that the "small government," "free market" people are generally the ones that wouldn't even consider discontinuing the failing war on drugs/prostitution. The money saved/earned just by legalizing marijuana would pay for universal health care with a bunch to spare.

A consumption tax of goods and services that are already legal would provide more money.

[woot]

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

conservatives would say that liberals want government out of your private life, yet they think the government can take your money and give it to someone else.

Well, that's the stereotype, but I don't see it in practice very much. We are at somewhat of a disadvantage, being such a large country and needing to spend so much on security, research, space exploration, etc. but those last two are among the reasons why our country is so great, so that's something I'm willing to accept. The war on drugs is wasting an incredible amount of money and man-power, far more than any of the Dems' pet projects that I can think of. Of late, the stereotype seems more true than it should be, only because the republicans borrow other countries' money instead of generating it from the tax payers.

[woot]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

A consumption tax of goods and services that are already legal would provide more money.

What kind of tax? What goods? What %?

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by woot

What kind of tax? What goods? What %?

All goods with the exceptions of food, shelter, and education.

Close to 20%.

No more income tax.

[woot]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

All goods with the exceptions of food, shelter, and education.

Close to 20%.

No more income tax.

I'd like to read about the pros and cons of such a system, as in theory I think it'd be great for the average American's financial situation. At the same time, I wonder how a system that discourages people from buying things would jive with a society that seems to think that unrestrained consumerism is the cure of every ill.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by woot

I'd like to read about the pros and cons of such a system, as in theory I think it'd be great for the average American's financial situation. At the same time, I wonder how a system that discourages people from buying things would jive with a society that seems to think that unrestrained consumerism is the cure of every ill.

I'll look around the net sometime soon and see what I can find then boardmail you with whatever links I can find.

It could discourage people from buying things that they don't need, but it could also keep folks out of massive debt. Edit: Of course, with no income tax there would be more disposable income.