Unfair Taxation
Unfair Taxation: Why Should the Few Support the Many?
Ricky Wiggins
Strayer University
Professor Priscilla Patten
English 215 Research and Writing
5 May 2012
Unfair Taxation In the economy today a large number of Americans do not pay Federal Income Tax. This is not fair to the citizens who are required by law to pay taxes. Why should only half of the country bear the burden of paying taxes to support the United States? Every person living in America needs to stand up, take responsibility and pay their share of taxes to ensure the Nations financial stability. John F. Kennedy once said, "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." If the current tax situation in America is not resolved, eventually America will be broke. Those not paying taxes are the very same people that are bleeding America dry, they believe the federal government should support them and their families. What would happen if everyone believed that it was alright to sit home and wait on others to give them everything needed to sustain life? The nation as a whole would no longer exist. When almost half of all Americans do not pay income tax and do not contribute anything to the funding of the United States, there has to be change. To be clear, 47 percent of Americans account for the people who do not pay any federal taxes. Of this 47 percent about 33 percent paid in what is referred to as payroll tax which includes Social Security and Medicare (Gleckman, 2010). This means 14 percent of Americans paid absolutely no taxes, contributing nothing to the financial well being of the United States. Who is not paying taxes and why? Of those not paying income tax, 40 percent are single filing joint returns and 70 percent are claiming head of house hold (Robert Williams,n.d.). [pic](Bluey,n.d.) Taxes have always been at the fore front of American politics. Beginning with the Boston Tea Party in 1773 when
Ricky Wiggins
Strayer University
Professor Priscilla Patten
English 215 Research and Writing
5 May 2012
Unfair Taxation In the economy today a large number of Americans do not pay Federal Income Tax. This is not fair to the citizens who are required by law to pay taxes. Why should only half of the country bear the burden of paying taxes to support the United States? Every person living in America needs to stand up, take responsibility and pay their share of taxes to ensure the Nations financial stability. John F. Kennedy once said, "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." If the current tax situation in America is not resolved, eventually America will be broke. Those not paying taxes are the very same people that are bleeding America dry, they believe the federal government should support them and their families. What would happen if everyone believed that it was alright to sit home and wait on others to give them everything needed to sustain life? The nation as a whole would no longer exist. When almost half of all Americans do not pay income tax and do not contribute anything to the funding of the United States, there has to be change. To be clear, 47 percent of Americans account for the people who do not pay any federal taxes. Of this 47 percent about 33 percent paid in what is referred to as payroll tax which includes Social Security and Medicare (Gleckman, 2010). This means 14 percent of Americans paid absolutely no taxes, contributing nothing to the financial well being of the United States. Who is not paying taxes and why? Of those not paying income tax, 40 percent are single filing joint returns and 70 percent are claiming head of house hold (Robert Williams,n.d.). [pic](Bluey,n.d.) Taxes have always been at the fore front of American politics. Beginning with the Boston Tea Party in 1773 when
References: Bluey, R. (2012, February 19). Chart of the week: Nearly half of all Americans don’t pay income taxes Clark, D. (2009, January 29). 10 pros and cons of the fair tax. Retrieved from http://geekpolitics.com/10-pros-and-cons-of-the-fair-tax/ Gleckman, H Kibbe, M. (2011, April 18). Tax day 2011 -- We need a flat tax more than ever Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/04/18/need-flat-tax/ Kotlikoff, L Kotlikoff, L. & Rapson, D (2006). Comparing average and marginal tax rates under the FairTax and the current system of federal taxation. Boston: Boston University.