Reply #5: Do you think we should have a progressive tax system at all?

[LondonReign2]

Welcome to DU johnboy, though your stay may be a short one.

The fact is, that when ALL taxes are included, not just income tax, people across all tax brackets pay nearly the same portion of their income, specifically 14% - 19%.

I disagree that those with higher incomes are being "punished". Taxes are not punishment, nor is paying a fair share punishment. We now have an annual deficit of $600B thanks to the mismanagement of this administration. Now you might very well argue that spending needs to be cut (and again, Bush has increased spending at 3 times the rate the fiscally sane Clinton did), but taxes should also be equitably paid.

Do you believe it is fair to ask the well off to pay LESS than everyone else? Because that is exactly what a "consumption tax" will do. The majority of people's purchases are daily necessities, not discretionary spending.