In the "The New Atheists" thread, an tangent has started about taxation. I'm interested in what others think of taxes. Personally, I don't favor taxation of any kind, but...since the topic was brought up here, I thought I'd post this.

What type of taxation are you in favor of, and/or against? Why or why not?

I think the Wage Tax seems absolutely regressive and immoral, personally. I think of it as slavery, and think it ought rightly be considered a violation of both Article 1 and the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution. I'd like to see the IRS abolished and replaced with nothing at all, but if we must have tax, I'd favor something that NEVER taxes wages in any way, shape or form.

If we must have taxation, there are a few that I'd consider "less evil" than wage taxation. Here they are, and roughly what I think the rates should be...

Corporate income taxation. A sliding scale based upon the damage done to society by the corporation. Polluters and manufacturers of consumable products that raise the cost of medical care would be taxed highest, while corporations that manufacture goods that do neither would be taxed lowest. Some method of measuring damage would have to be worked out. For example, one form of corporate tax I'd favor is a Progressive Energy Tax to be levied only on energy generating corporations. 33% income tax on all profits earned from energy generated by nuclear and fossil fuels. 0% tax on all income earned from renewable sources of energy that do not pollute.

Capital gains taxation for the rich only. If your total capital gains are under $50,000, no tax. If they are between $50k and $500k, tax rate of 10%. If they are more than $500k, tax rate of 20%. If they are over $5M, tax rate of 30%. The only deduction would be for capital gains that are immediately re-invested into new long-term saving/investment plans or spent directly on medical care...all liquidated capital gains would be subject to the tax.

National Sales Tax. 0% on food, medicine, water, clothing. 10% on most other products. 5% on automobiles of all varieties with an MPG rating of 50 or higher (0% on autos with 100 mpg or higher). 10% on automobiles of all types with an MPG between 25 and 50. 25% on automobiles of all types with an MPG below 25. 25% on liquor, cigarettes, sugar drinks, and other luxury consumables that cause increased medical costs. 25% on planes and boats costing over $50k.

Estate Tax. 0% on estates under $10M. 2% on estates from $10M to $100M. 5% on estates between $100M and $1B. 10% on estates over $1B. No escaping this through a living trust or other tax loophole.

Here are three links to more information on alternative taxation plans:

Center for American Progress
"A Fair and Simple Tax System for our Future"
A "progressive" income tax alternative.
www.americanprogress.org/issue...0.html

Americans For Fair Taxation
"The Fair Tax"
Would abolish the IRS and make a national sales tax to replace it.
www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer

Large Listings of Proposals before Congress:
www.cob.sjsu.edu/nellen_a/txrefupd.html