A reader emails:
Is it possible that by “freeing” the poor from paying any tax at all, they are, in essence, being completely disenfranchised? That they do not care where the tax money goes because it doesn’t come out of their pockets? That not being required to pay taxes sends the subtle message that they are inferior? Thus perpetuating the victim and “gimme gimme” mentality?
I’ve often wondered whether even the poorest among us should pay some taxes in order to keep them in the game, so to speak.
Keep in mind that the poorest citizens not only pay no taxes but receive income “credits” from the government (i.e. our taxpayer dollars). A mother earning minimum wage ($13,624 annually) with one dependent child taking the standard deduction not only owes “0″ tax, she also gets a check for $3,850 through the Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit. And with two children that number jumps to $6,710, so at year end she has “earned” $20,334 in combined income and credits while having contributed nothing to the tax base (though her employer has paid some payroll tax).
