Originally Posted by
syslight
Taxes are evil but are the price we must pay to live.
However it should be a fair and equal tax since all US citizens are considered equals. 30% of each dollar paid as wages salaries and/or tips over a set limit.... the poverty line, no deductions beyond that.
Each earner of wages salaries and/or tips should pay the same rate. No special perks for kids, mortgages, retirement, spouses (or the lack thereof) or anything else. Also, no refunds in excess of what the individual paid in.
After the first year or so we can adjust the rate as need be.
Naturally, the first step it to close all non-essential federal agencies: education, arts, dea, agriculture, health and human services, commerce, energy, housing, fish & wildlife, interior, peace corps, transportation... just to name a few. Basically if the agency is not in the constitution it needs to go now. Sure these areas would only save a few billion dollars but a billion here, a billion there soon you are talking real money ;)
I would also ditch the air force. All the other branches have helicopters and the navy and marine (a small navy department itself) have planes. Give the missiles to the army and spread the aircraft out to the navy and marines. Think of the money saved when the bases close particularly those outside the US they tend to cost more than twice the price of a similar US base.
but please start by taxing the poor so they can pay their fair share.