Can someone define what their, or anyone else's "fair share" is?

1. 83

   RJ Schwartzposted 7 years ago

   Can someone define what their, or anyone else's "fair share" is?
   
   Each day I hear complaints about rich people not paying their "fair share" of taxes - someone define "fair share" for me. 
   
   

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2. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 7 years ago

   
   
   There are those who are haters, negaters,  &/or otherwise jealous of the more socioeconomically successful among us.  They are rife here on HubPages.   There are people who erroneously believe in income distribution equity & believe that the more socioeconomically successful ought to "pay more" to support those who are "socioeconomically lacking".   There are people among us who want others to pay to upkeep their negative &/or lazy lifestyle.
   
   There are a few who contend that there shouldn't be wealthy people when there are poor, impoverished people.  In their minds, wealth represents an injustice.  They are for totally socioeconomic equity distribution across the board.  Such people refuse to realize that many wealthy people are the way they are because of strategizing, sacrifice, & smart work.   Wealthy people WORK....oftentimes working long hours & sacrificing their free time to get where they are.  Most people aren't inordinately socioeconomically successful because they REFUSE to make the necessary sacrifices.  They would rather do the obligatory 9-5 & no more!  They feel that work is a tolerable nuisance instead of a passion which wealthy &/or highly successful people subscribe to & practice.
   
   Wealthy people are continuously working & learning what they need to do to stay on top of their game.   They never stop-they know that the more skills & education they accumulate, the better they are. Most people aren't about to do this- they do the minimum to remain at their particular level of success & no more.   In essence, people's net worth are equal to their particular skill set level & expenditure.   However, most people fail to realize this.  They complain that they aren't successful & struggling but what are they doing to remedy the situation?  Nothing but complain & wishing that their situation would become easier by outside osmosis   People MAKE their lives what it is for positive or negative.  No one is going to rescue them but.....THEMSELVES.
   
   Wealthy people do pay their fair share of taxes in comparison to the middle class.  It is poor people who pay the least taxes yet get the most government services.   Think welfare, food stamps, & section 8.   It is the idea of haters, negaters,  & other jealous people who want the wealthy to bear the brunt of supporting others & giving them a more comfortable lifestyle w/little or no effort on the latter's part.  It is part of the GIMME mentality which has been prominent in American culture.

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   1. 88

      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Couldn't have said it better.

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   2. 80

      ptosisposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Your answer is soo much BS, From start to finish. All of it.

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      promisemposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I am economically successful and know many wealthy people. The majority of them are liars, cheats and thieves.

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   4. 48

      grieving dog owneposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Most people don't equate the accumulation of wealth with success. Generation X is the 1st generation since the industrial revolution who have it harder than their parents. Welfare is a drop in the bucket. You have a very narrow view of the world.

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   5. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      C'mon Scott, the majority of wealthy AREN'T liars, cheats, nor thieves.  I know poor people who are LIARS, CHEATS, & THIEVES.  They are the biggest hustlers around.  They are quite adept at getting others to support them w/o any effort on THEIR p

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   6. 82

      wba108@yahoo.composted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Well said !  +1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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      Besarienposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Let them eat cake mentality undermines the entire political system. 99 haters for every one of the richest one percent. I don't like those odds.

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      promisemposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Grace, I speak from a lot of personal experience. The idea that rich people are all morally good and poor people are all lazy and immoral is not realistic.
      
      I agree there are poor people who are liars, cheats and thieves as well.

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3. 91

   MizBejabbersposted 7 years ago

   Not sure anyone knows the answer to the question. Years ago before I found out that the rich have so many loopholes and deductions, I thought the percentage that the government called for on them was outlandish. Now I'm not so sure. I do agree that there is an underclass that doesn't want to work or else can't work because of mental or physical challenges, under education or no education, and who think the educated and hard working should support them. However, this seems to fall on the hard-working middle class. I don't believe this is fair.
   I do have an opinion on what is not a fair share. I'm not an economist but I do know that a flat tax with no deductions would put the burden squarely on the middle class, because (let's use 10% as an example) 10% of $20,000 leaves a family of four with $18,000, while 10% of $100,000 leaves a family of four with $90,000, and 10% of $1,000,000 leaves a family of four with $900,000 to live on. I don't think that would be anyone's fair share if supporting the disabled and the truly lazy.

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   1. 83

      RJ Schwartzposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That's the rub isn't it - all the protesting about fair share, when no one has a clue what it is or should be

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   2. 91

      MizBejabbersposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Amen, and how about all the privileged who can afford costal living who will now expect us to pay our "fair share" of helping them out of these hurricane losses. FEMA, charity, and our own insurance rates rising because of their damage.

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4. 55

   DLayneposted 7 years ago

   "Fair share" is someone else's concept of what he or she thinks that someone's "fair share" should be.  "Fair share" is not accurate; it is just someone else's belief.
   
   For instance, when I worked at the American Red Cross, employees knew as soon as they were hired that it was expected that each one pays his or her "fair share" to the United Way campaign every year.  As an employee's salary increased, so did their "fair share" amount to donate to United Way.  Of course, employees had (have) the opportunity to declare which United Way agency received his or her donation.

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   1. 91

      MizBejabbersposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That's like a church demanding that a parishioner give a tenth of his/her income or tithe to the church. Tithing started, you know, back when the tribal government was ruled by the rabbi or clergy, so it was a form of taxation.

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5. 80

   ptosisposted 7 years ago

   
   
   Why exist? Ralph is going to insult me for answering his loaded Q.
   Do the rich pay their fair share? Ralph is asking if they do.
   Are the rich were paying too much tax? I think Ralph is implying that they do.
   
   The image is from the Tax Policy Center. Please don't argue with me if you feel the numbers are wrong. I didn't come up with them. I am only referring to an official source that you may or may not consider 'fake news'.
   
   Been through this Q before, and the questioner would prefer the answering in the same   fore-judgement that all the poor are undeserving succubuses living off other people's money. 
   
   It's hilarious. The echo chamber is deafening. At least Ralph doesn't just erase my answers. (thank you).
   
   Source: Tax Policy Center
   
   And so, here are the tax percentages that each quintile actually pays as a percent of their true disposable incomes assuming everyone needs at least $2,000 a month just to get by;
   
   quintile  TaxRate%
             DISPOSABLE
               income
   lowest      n/a
   second      116%
   Third       52%
   Fourth      45%
   Highest     37%
   Millionaire 32%
   
   This certainly doesn’t look fair, much less progressive. A rate cannot even be calculated for the lowest quintile because they are $13,000 negative in the hole before even paying their taxes.
   
   
   Yes, I know not everybody is paying $2k/month to get by. Please don't argue about how you know people who get by on less. This is nationwide stats, not your little town.

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   1. 83

      RJ Schwartzposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Your sarcasm is entertaining, however I was only seeing what people would say.

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      ptosisposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Glad I made you smile. See? I'm not totally worthless trash that should be taken out and shot for  the good of society.

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   3. 83

      RJ Schwartzposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Funny - even though I rarely agree with you, I am a big believer in never suppressing anyone's freedom of speech (rare here on HP, but that's just me)

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6. 82

   wba108@yahoo.composted 7 years ago

   To me fair is everybody pays the same percentage of income, like the tithe in the Old Testament. But now about half the country pays no federal tax while the top 25 percent of wage earners pay about 85 percent of all federal income taxes while not receiving any government perks or programs.
   
   What doesn't seem fair is those who pay no Federal tax voting on how much to tax those who are required to pay taxes. Or for some Americans to live at the expense of other Americans without their consent. How is it fair for tax payers to by forced to pay hand outs to special interests such as to banks, Auto companies, college students, the poor and other numerous entities or individuals.
   
   Is it fair for the government to impose such a high tax that less is available for charities of our choice rather than what the government see's fit to give it to. Is it fair to tax people for purposes not set forth in the Constitution (Article 1 section 8).
   
   Is it fair that people should be penalized for their success and hard work? Is it fair that those who are already wealthy to hinder those who would like to be wealthy, by advocating and voting for high taxes for those earning their money now?
   
   The answer to these questions is of course, no!

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   1. 0

      promisemposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      A flat tax will dramatically increase the poverty rate and put even more wealth and power in the hands of a few people.
      
      Wise people created the progressive tax system to avoid the problems above.

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   2. 91

      MizBejabbersposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      College towns have temporary residents. Students here who rent or live in dormitories are demanding that they vote on raising resident property taxes. Not fair for them to come in for a year or two, move on, and have a say in our permanent tax bills.

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   3. 82

      wba108@yahoo.composted 7 years agoin reply to this

      MizBejabbers- You got it, a bunch of entitled brats demanding overtaxed property owners to pay their bills!! Ditto

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7. 83

   RJ Schwartzposted 7 years ago

   Good answer - thanks for contributing to the discussion

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