What if taxes were paid like charitable gifts - i.e. you chose where they go?

jblomenberg16 · 2 Weeks Ago

So I was thinking a bit about paying taxes based on the 33 combat video thread (way cool btw). One of the responses was loosely "I like knowing my taxes go to that." I was thinking to myself, so do I!

So, we all know that nothing in life is certain but death and taxes, so assume for a moment that we have to continue to pay taxes at our current rates, but instead of the full amount going to Uncle Sam, the states, and the counties for them to spend at will, what if you got to tell each of them how you wanted them to spend your money? Ok, yeah, that is sorta kinda what voting and elected officials are for, but we see how well that is working for us.

This same strategy is very similar to what is reality in the charitable donation world. We pretty much have free reign on what we want to contribut towards, and in turn, have some influence on the benefitial work these organizations do in our communities. Things like churches, United Ways, American Cancer society, etc.

Washington clearly doesn't get it right now in terms of what American's really want. So, maybe what we need is a tax designation program. You get to pick what government program(s) you want your tax dollars to fund. You litterally vote directly with your dollars.

What would you choose (not paying taxes is not an option

)?

rich8483 · 2 Weeks Ago

wow, way too capitalist. voting with your dollar? whoever heard of that?

no really, i like the idea. most of the government programs would be shutdown though wouldnt they.

mettle · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblomenberg16

So I was thinking a bit about paying taxes based on the 33 combat video thread (way cool btw). One of the responses was loosely "I like knowing my taxes go to that." I was thinking to myself, so do I!

So, we all know that nothing in life is certain but death and taxes, so assume for a moment that we have to continue to pay taxes at our current rates, but instead of the full amount going to Uncle Sam, the states, and the counties for them to spend at will, what if you got to tell each of them how you wanted them to spend your money? Ok, yeah, that is sorta kinda what voting and elected officials are for, but we see how well that is working for us.

This same strategy is very similar to what is reality in the charitable donation world. We pretty much have free reign on what we want to contribut towards, and in turn, have some influence on the benefitial work these organizations do in our communities. Things like churches, United Ways, American Cancer society, etc.

Washington clearly doesn't get it right now in terms of what American's really want. So, maybe what we need is a tax designation program. You get to pick what government program(s) you want your tax dollars to fund. You litterally vote directly with your dollars.

What would you choose (not paying taxes is not an option

)?

You send me yours and I'll send you mine. WIN WIN!

lashicoN · 2 Weeks Ago

I'm glad to be reading this. I pitched this idea to my friend about half a year back. It's really the ideal form of Government. My idea was to get public servants to really serve again. Like paved roads? Throw some taxes at that. Like NASA? Throw some of your taxes at that. Hate some social program? Let it die off. Get harassed by police officers? Call the Officer's Commander and let him know they won't be receiving a dime this year due to Officer X's recent behavior. It would be nearly an overnight shift back to a Government by the people, for the people.

hornadylnl · 2 Weeks Ago

I would fund programs that help the handicapped. Places like the Wabash Center that provide jobs and places to live for down syndrome people, etc. I loathe taxes but I totally agree with a program that my grandmother used. She was legally blind and the state library provided her with a tape player that played audio books. The equipment, audio books and shipping were 100% paid for and she never had to pay a dime out of pocket. I think programs that help people that are in a situation due to no fault of their own are great.

lumpy39us · 2 Weeks Ago

Taxes don't go to the gov

lashicoN · 2 Weeks Ago

Really? Who pays local, state, and federal employees? Cash fairies? Check your next pay stub, lumpy.

LPMan59 · 2 Weeks Ago

if this were the case, the boys (and girls) in uniform would have the necessary gear and there would be plenty of trailer trash on the south side of muncie who find a job right quick. lol

lumpy39us · 2 Weeks Ago

As I am being lead to believe the IRS isn't even part of the gov, neither is the fed res. Isn't that where your taxes go? The pay from other gov comes from taxes applied to stuff we buy and of course state and local taxes.
Fed tax pays interest to the fed res, I thought? Guess we need clarifaction from the IRS, lol.

lumpy39us · 2 Weeks Ago

Sorry, I'm not trying to insight a riot.
Taxes are a necessity to ensure the efficient running of this great country. I do realize where state and local taxes go, the proof is in the pay stub like was pointed out.
Have you ever seen the list of things the fed gov taxes us on, I'll try to find it and post. Heres an example: Cigarette tax, fed, $2 a pack, not sure of the accuracy of this info just an example of gov generated revnue. 60 million smokers, pack a day thats 120 million a day assuming a smoker smokes a pack a day. The debt payment to the fed res comes from Income tax.
So any way taxes are a necessary evil, after all how would drive to work if there weren't roads!

2 Weeks Ago	#1 (permalink)
jblomenberg16 Expert Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seymour Posts: 1,567	What if taxes were paid like charitable gifts - i.e. you chose where they go? So I was thinking a bit about paying taxes based on the 33 combat video thread (way cool btw). One of the responses was loosely "I like knowing my taxes go to that." I was thinking to myself, so do I! So, we all know that nothing in life is certain but death and taxes, so assume for a moment that we have to continue to pay taxes at our current rates, but instead of the full amount going to Uncle Sam, the states, and the counties for them to spend at will, what if you got to tell each of them how you wanted them to spend your money? Ok, yeah, that is sorta kinda what voting and elected officials are for, but we see how well that is working for us. This same strategy is very similar to what is reality in the charitable donation world. We pretty much have free reign on what we want to contribut towards, and in turn, have some influence on the benefitial work these organizations do in our communities. Things like churches, United Ways, American Cancer society, etc. Washington clearly doesn't get it right now in terms of what American's really want. So, maybe what we need is a tax designation program. You get to pick what government program(s) you want your tax dollars to fund. You litterally vote directly with your dollars. What would you choose (not paying taxes is not an option )? __________________ Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. - Ghandi

2 Weeks Ago	#2 (permalink)
rich8483 Marksman Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Crown Point - Lake County Posts: 422	wow, way too capitalist. voting with your dollar? whoever heard of that? no really, i like the idea. most of the government programs would be shutdown though wouldnt they. __________________ Barack Hussein Obama... mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm. No indoctrination to see here. carry on.

2 Weeks Ago	#8 (permalink)
LPMan59 Colt Kool-Aid Drinker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 920	if this were the case, the boys (and girls) in uniform would have the necessary gear and there would be plenty of trailer trash on the south side of muncie who find a job right quick. lol __________________ Dream another dream; this dream is over.

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2 Weeks Ago	#4 (permalink)
lashicoN Plinker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Joseph County Posts: 10	I'm glad to be reading this. I pitched this idea to my friend about half a year back. It's really the ideal form of Government. My idea was to get public servants to really serve again. Like paved roads? Throw some taxes at that. Like NASA? Throw some of your taxes at that. Hate some social program? Let it die off. Get harassed by police officers? Call the Officer's Commander and let him know they won't be receiving a dime this year due to Officer X's recent behavior. It would be nearly an overnight shift back to a Government by the people, for the people.

2 Weeks Ago	#5 (permalink)
hornadylnl Expert Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,003	I would fund programs that help the handicapped. Places like the Wabash Center that provide jobs and places to live for down syndrome people, etc. I loathe taxes but I totally agree with a program that my grandmother used. She was legally blind and the state library provided her with a tape player that played audio books. The equipment, audio books and shipping were 100% paid for and she never had to pay a dime out of pocket. I think programs that help people that are in a situation due to no fault of their own are great.

2 Weeks Ago	#6 (permalink)
lumpy39us Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 52	Taxes don't go to the gov

2 Weeks Ago	#7 (permalink)
lashicoN Plinker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Joseph County Posts: 10	Really? Who pays local, state, and federal employees? Cash fairies? Check your next pay stub, lumpy.

2 Weeks Ago	#9 (permalink)
lumpy39us Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 52	As I am being lead to believe the IRS isn't even part of the gov, neither is the fed res. Isn't that where your taxes go? The pay from other gov comes from taxes applied to stuff we buy and of course state and local taxes. Fed tax pays interest to the fed res, I thought? Guess we need clarifaction from the IRS, lol.

2 Weeks Ago	#10 (permalink)
lumpy39us Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 52	Sorry, I'm not trying to insight a riot. Taxes are a necessity to ensure the efficient running of this great country. I do realize where state and local taxes go, the proof is in the pay stub like was pointed out. Have you ever seen the list of things the fed gov taxes us on, I'll try to find it and post. Heres an example: Cigarette tax, fed, $2 a pack, not sure of the accuracy of this info just an example of gov generated revnue. 60 million smokers, pack a day thats 120 million a day assuming a smoker smokes a pack a day. The debt payment to the fed res comes from Income tax. So any way taxes are a necessary evil, after all how would drive to work if there weren't roads!