Things that make you go “Hmmmm…”
Exile may not forgive me for this (ever) but when I saw this graphic about the NYS effective tax rate vs. income, I just thought “Hmmmm…”
Is this disgusting or what? Those who earn the least pay out the most. I am thinking of copying this and handing it out as a flyer to all voters this fall. It is way past time for factual arguments to be employed against egregious Republican policies. It’s a battle of Fear vs. Facts.
(The title is better than what I really wanted to call it: “WTF of the Day.”)
(H/t jiminybizbo on the graphic from WFP)
Actually, I think the chart you show here is a more effective chart to get people to see how Democratic policies are actually better for everyone. The chart showing effective NYS taxes on different levels of income is a good chart, but doesn’t show what has happened when Democrats rule … it only show that things are bad now … and you are vulnerable to the ridiculous but often-heard argument “Yeah but there’s no difference between R and D”.
You could amend this chart so that it also shows what tax rates would be under a Democratic government … you’re good at finding these things on the Internet, there must be a similar analysis of the presidential candidates plans somewhere. Or perhaps you could amend this chart to show what the tax rates were back when Monica and Bill were an item.
Good idea. I’ll try to work on that…
That’s true. It’s really mesmerizing to me how any Republicans that vote like Kuhl get elected.
Why would Exile “never forgive” you for your post?
I wasn’t sure if Exile liked the song I was referencing. You see, I am ultra cool in my musical tastes.
I actually hate the song but the title is very cool.
I agree, a graph like this is very powerful. Can you explain exactly how it is measuring effective tax rate? I assume this is a total tax burden, including income, sales, property, cigarette, gas, liquor and all other taxes.
I think conservatives like to just point to income tax and say “see, people with higher incomes are taxed more”, but conveniently forget the other more regressive taxes (it is particularly ironic when you think about it, because they make such a stink about property tax, but forget about it completely in this context!).
I copied this from the graphic’s text off the Working Families Party website:
“New York continues to have not just high taxes, but highly unfair taxes.
The wealthier you are in New York State, the less you pay in taxes as a percentage of your income. Look at all the taxes a person pays – income, payroll, sales, property, capital gains – and you find that the middle class and working class pay higher percentages of their overall income in taxes than the wealthy.”
Here’s the link: http://wfpjournal.blogspot.com/2007/04/wfp-on-new-york-state-budget.html
This should be no surprise to anyone - For example NY cigarette taxes will be $2.75 per pack. If someone smokes one pack per day, the total tax will be about $1003 per year. That is 20% of someones income if they make $5000 per year, 7% of someone’s income who makes $15,000 per year and only 1% of someone making $90,000 per year.
Sales taxes, cigarette taxes, and alchool taxes are regressive by their own nature. If the state had the balls, they would raise the income tax and leave the sales and cigarette taxes stay where they are. If they really were brave, they would eliminate most of these taxes and tax income only.
Is that supposed to be your way of saying you were wrong?
I didn’t hear you crying when the cigarette tax was increased making it even harder for a poor smoker to get by
and you won’t hear my cry Elmo - I smoke, and I’ll pay it. Don’t fall off your chair buddy, but since when do you expect me to think you care about anyone, let alone a smoker with no funds for cigarettes. He’ll just rob you to buy his next pack. That should make you feel safe.
I will buy mine and inhale a little deeper knowing that you think you bother me, when you don’t. Double the tax, see if I care. Pretty soon smoking will be reserved for the rich, then all those top earners in the GOP will take to huffing. As usual, I’ll just be ahead of you another 10 steps.
Get some sleep.
Oh yeah, and before you ask, I have one when I first get up, I fire one up after a good meal, and I have another with a glass of wine or a cup of expresso. I save the last one for after great sex.
Care for a smoke Elmer?
This isnt about you and me - this is about the unfair tax rate and how cigarette taxes have a great impact on poor people. Or don’t you really care about the poor people?
I’ll pick you up Saturday Elmer, and we’ll go buy some cartons and pass them out to the poor. What time do I pick you up?
You gonna pass out free gas to the poor folks, too? You whine about the tax impact on poor people but cheer on all the increases -
No Elmo, no free gas. You forget, the “poor” can’t afford cars. They leave that luxury to you rich folk.
Then buy a bunch of mass transit tickets and hand them out. Besides, I am sure more poor people own cars than you give them credit for.
And this is why I laugh every time I see a “The Truth” ad on tv about those “evil” tobacco companies. The real truth is the government doesn’t really want everyone to quit smoking because they need the tax revenue.
On the other hand, I suppose they could think up another couple of scratch off lottery ticket games and lie about all the school books they’re supposedly buying, while siphoning funds off of that money trough a little deeper each day too.
If pretty soon only the rich will be able to smoke, why would the top earners in the GOP take to huffing, since they can afford the cigarettes? Wouldn’t it be all the poor down-trodden Democrats that need to find affordable alternative vices?
I wasn’t referring to illegal drug activities. Huffing as in puffing - but at least you’ve shown a new side of your persona…
Yeah, the Teens in Crisis Counselor side.