Voting with our tax money
We can vote for individual candidates but we have even less input about what they are to do. I think it would be cool to have a form to fill out while filing taxes that gives the taxpayer some say about what the tax money gets spent on.
good idea
Side Score: 4
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get real
Side Score: 7
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The budget would be a complete disaster if we did it that way. The government counts on a certain amount of tax dollars coming into the accounts and also has the obligation to use that money where it is needed most, like education, defense and so many other things. I don't see how we could ever balance a budget if people only contributed their fair share to whatever interests them the most! Side: Get real
The budget would be a complete disaster if we did it that way. If you say so... lol I don't see how we could ever balance a budget if people only contributed their fair share to whatever interests them the most! You not seeing how does not make it impossible or less desirable. Side: Good idea
The wealthy will always have vastly greater power than the poor. Even if our entire monetary system collapses this will remain the case. I doubt that doing something along the lines of allowing taxpayers to have a more meaningful voice in how their tax dollars are spent would exacerbate the situation any. Why do you think it would? Side: Good idea
The wealthy will always have vastly greater power than the poor. Even if our entire monetary system collapses this will remain the case. First off, in a society without money or private property, there would not be a "wealthy" or "poor", or even "power". Secondly, within the bounds of modern societies (liberal democracy w/private property, etc), I agree that the wealthy will always have greater power than the poor. However, this doesn't mean that they can't have more power or less power depending on the policies implemented. Voting with tax dollars would give them significantly more power. I doubt that doing something along the lines of allowing taxpayers to have a more meaningful voice in how their tax dollars are spent would exacerbate the situation any. Why do you think it would? Because a majority of taxpayers are wealthy. 40% (I believe) of the country doesn't even pay federal income tax, so already you're removing the "tax vote" from nearly half our population. The top 10% control 71% of the wealth, and the top 1% would control 38% of how our money is spent. 38% of our budget in the hand of a tiny, tiny minority is extraordinarily dangerous. Side: Get real
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attn Atypican: good question i direct you to Article I, Section II and you'll see that the taxing powers are vested to the Congress (Legislative branch of our government) but i wish to add that the Congress has totally abdicated it's Constitutional responsibility the solution to this and other problems is found within Declaration of Independence Side: Get real
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I once thought this too. I thought it would be awesome if the government got to spend most of our money but we could choose how 1-5% of it got spent, giving a little boost to that sector that we felt needed it the most. But it would likely become extremely inequitable. Military and education spending would increase while things like roads and infrastructure would likely be neglected. Our current system is not all that bad, if you're willing to make it work. It does require a little more activism than most Americans are willing to give. There's more to being heard than just voting for a candidate. But the beauty of our democratic republic is that your representatives work for you. You can meet with them, talk to them, make what is important to you known. Side: Get real
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