Fairness in the American Taxation System Essay Example for Free

Fairness in the American Taxation System Essay The hot topic in America right now is taxation. While many members of society believe the current taxing system is fair, others believe it is not. The President, congress, and the senate try their hardest to work together to please the entire population with all of the reforms they make. Not only is paying taxes mandatory for American citizens, it is a public duty. The reason people are required to pay tax is because the government uses the money collected to support the country Americans live, breath, and work in. Taxes are like a form of rent. With our country being as diverse as it is, there are many people that cannot survive on their own nor pay any sort of taxes. The most common reason for persons not being able to pay up is disability. It is up to the rest of the citizens of the United States to help support this percentage of people that are not able to work. Since these people are unable to work and provide for their families, the government created a social program called Welfare. This program is very special and gives security to the people receiving it for a better, poverty-free life. Another program for the underprivileged is called Medicaid. Similar to Welfare, this gives insurance to people that cannot afford to pay medical bills, etc. The type of tax that is currently in play in the United States is called Progressive tax; the more you earn the more you pay. â€Å"The new economy rich often favor tax increases because, in contrast to Republicans and their business backers, they enthusiastically support increased government spending on education, health care, and scientific research† (Callahan, David 14). While some say this is not just, obviously the government, congress, and voters believe so. Some people believe it to be fair because the rich have more to offer then the poor; they work hard for their money and have a lot to show for it. Federal taxes this year will approach $3,300 a person. To tax everyone equally is out of the question. Many individuals and families cannot possibly bear a Federal tax of $3,300 per capita. So government must treat people, not equally but unequally. Harriss, Lowell 271) It would be unfair and brutal for a poor family in our country to pay the same amount of money in taxes as the wealthiest family in America. Tax increases on the rich would not be punishment nor unfair, â€Å"They worry about poor people and pollution. They want government to make sure that Americans have the kind of education they need to compete in the global economy† (Callahan, David 13). Although all citizens would not be taxed the same amount annually, the progressive sys tem gives each citizen the right to live a blessed life. Regarding making the taxation system â€Å"simple, equal, and fair,† (Simple 42) â€Å"fulfilling all of these objections is challenging† (Simple 42). No Matter how the law of taxation is set, there will always be people to protest and their will always be people to challenge the system. â€Å"Degrees of fairness in taxation cannot possibly be measured, but we can often sense that one condition is nearer than another to the concept we have in mind† (Harriss Lowell 271). Reasonable, humane, productive, creative, generous, innovative persons – voters embodying the attributes we admire – and persons embodying the attributes we consider destructive of the good life – envy, spite, greed, profligacy, short-sightedness, selfishness – will probably have different views about a fair scale of progression. (Harriss Lowell 273) The types of admirable views listed above show that progressive tax is truly the best decision for America. Not only is it the right choice in equality, but it is morally well-rounded. Most of the taxes we pay go to citizens that are deprived of money. The government ensures that the money taken out of an individuals check is put to good use. Other taxes go to support the entire country. If taxes did not exist, it would be every man for himself and our economy would be a disaster. Without a progressive taxation system, America would not be as strong as it is today. There would be an even bigger difference between the wealth and poverty line. People travel all over the world to come to the United States to achieve the â€Å"American Dream,† and the government’s law of taxation allows individuals to do just that.