The Left speaks about the rich paying “their fair share,” while the Right harps on the overburden and restrictions on the so-called “job-creators.” Both positions appeal to fairness, and it could be argued that anything other than a flat tax (equal percentage) or equal amount is unfair, but fairness is not the only consideration in our tax design. [see my post on fairness at Tax - Fair Share for that discussion.]
English: This is a chart created to demonstrate graphically the historical tax rates for the lowest and highest income earners in the United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Absent the knowledge and intellectual capacity to explore the philosophical nature of tax structures in depth, I argue that morality alone is sufficient reason to justify and continue our progressive structure. I find it easiest to explain my reasoning by referring to a recent discussion I had with a very close friend.
My friend complained about his taxes, and that he felt it unfair that he ”should have to pay for others who have made poor choices in life.” At first I was very surprised that a successful and very rational person would arrive at this conclusion, then the more I thought about it, I realized this view is very common in our society—particularly within the conservative, and perhaps not-so-compassionate right. Then again, did Congress originally install a progressive tax structure from inception because the rich are best positioned to pay a larger share? If so, how much larger?
I believe this view of paying for others’ poor choices is far too simplistic. After all, we can only take pride in those things that we have control over in our lives, and where we enter this life is not one of them. It would be safe to assume a healthy child born to a middle class family somewhere in Connecticut would probably (not always of course) be raised in some form of Christian environment, with a supporting structure of typical American culture and values. Of course, this child had no influence on where he was born into this world, he was simply fortunate–or not. Therefore, if you enter life on the middle of the societal ladder, you can only control how much you achieve based on where you start.
On the other hand, another child could have been born on a rock pile somewhere in a desolate portion of the middle east or Africa, and this child may be raised within an Islamic culture, taught to hate the west from a young age, and face an entirely different standard of living–including education and even nourishment. This second child would probably become a fine upstanding citizen; however, he could also end up channeled into an extremist adulthood; either way, this child also had no say where he was brought into the world.
A third child may be born into a poverty stricken broken household and never taught solid values, leading to poor education and involvement in gangs, drugs, and crime–again, this child did not select his entry point in life.
My response to my friend is that none of us can take pride in our socio-economic position, other than relative to where we enter life. Rich kids can be lazy and achieve nothing while poor kids can become leaders and industry titans. If you were born into a less than optimal situation far down the ladder of life, would you not you hope that those above you reached down to help you? To use a favorite phrase of our elected leaders, “Let there be no mistake!” Not a single one of us can take responsibility for where we enter the world. If we are in a position to help others, we were either born into that position or climbed with extraordinary determination; either way, those below us who are not as capable must not be left along the side of the road, for in most cases it is only simple luck that we are not one of those less capable.
As with so many areas in life, if we follow that most basic tenet of behavior—treat others, as you would like to be treated by others—then our moral and ethical obligation is clear. A progressive tax structure is not a “re-distribution of wealth,” it is simply doing the right thing for a fellow human being.
I believe we all have an obligation to reach down and help those around and below us, for in the long term, this will enable all segments of society to raise their standard of living. For this reason I don’t mind paying more taxes than others, because not all paying less have made poor choices, most have simply been unlucky in their entry point.
So now the question is how much more? I find this the simpler part of the question to answer. “As much as is necessary to ensure that not a single person in the country is left homeless, hungry, or without food and proper medical care—not a single soul.”
Think about it and please share comments below.
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