Posted by AuntieMel on November 15, 2005, at 14:01:44
In reply to Re: justice » Damos, posted by alexandra_k on November 14, 2005, at 16:44:16
You seem to have some incorrect impressions of the US.
We *do* have progressive taxation. Granted the tax code is complicated and there are tax shelters and loopholes, but for the most part even the rich pay their share.
The rates this year are roughly between 20% and 35% for single people and between 20% and 35% for married couples.
The first 10,000 to 15,000 (roughly) of income is not taxed. The rates apply to money above that.
Low income people with kids get a credit, so they can end up with "negative tax"
We also have programs for the poor, what your article calls "welfare"
But - like I've said we also have, at least in the part of the country where I live, an expectation that people will help themselves.
The state I live in instituted a program several years ago that was designed to recognize that all education is not created equal. The top 10% of graduates of all schools (even the poorest with the most disadvantages) are guaranteed a slot in a state university. You can't be bumped out by the rich kid across town because the rich kid has tutors and all the help he needs.
And there are programs to help pay for this.
And as an acknowledgement of school inequality the universities have "remedial" programs to get the kids who need it up to standard.
And *that* is what *I* call fair.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:578654
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050924/msgs/578976.html