As you get older, it seems you write increasingly larger checks. What’s the largest check you’ve written, and what was it for?
Share why if you wish.
Category: Money
Should The Rich Be Taxed At A Higher Rate Than Others?
The question of whether the rich should be taxed at a higher rate than others is often discussed when people debate fairness and the role of government. Taxes paid by individuals, households, and businesses help fund public services such as schools, roads, healthcare, public transportation, local police, and national defense. Because everyone benefits from these services, governments must decide how the tax burden should be distributed.
Supporters of higher taxes on the rich often point to history as an example. During and after World War II, the United States had very high tax rates for the wealthiest Americans. In the 1950s, the top federal income tax rate was about 90 percent for the highest earners. However, this rate only applied to income above a certain, high level, not to all of a person’s income.
Supporters argue that people with higher incomes benefit greatly from systems that help businesses and the economy grow, such as reliable roads, educated workers, and a stable government. Because of this, they believe wealthy individuals should contribute a larger share to support these systems. They also say that higher taxes on the rich can help reduce the gap between rich and poor. Tax revenue can be used to support programs such as quality public education, expanded healthcare, and assistance for people with lower incomes.
Since the 1960s, tax rates for the highest earners have been reduced several times, with major reductions taking place in and since the 1980s. Some people believe these changes helped encourage business growth and investment. Others argue that lower tax rates have reduced government funding for public services and contributed to rising income inequality.
Critics of higher taxes on the rich argue that extremely high tax rates could discourage people from starting businesses, investing money, or working harder. Some believe everyone should pay taxes at the same rate because it treats all citizens equally. Others worry that very high taxes might cause wealthy individuals or businesses to move their money or investments to countries with lower tax rates.
The debate continues today. Where do you side? Should the rich be taxed at a higher rate than others?
Related questions: How do you feel about paying taxes? What should taxes be used for? Should a healthy society have billionaires? How much is enough?
Should Health Care Be Tied To A Person’s Employment?
For many people, at least in America, health care is largely subsidized by their employer. Does that system make sense?
Health care is one of the more controversial topics in American politics. Millions of Americans get their health insurance, to pay for the ever-increasing cost of health care, from a plan offered by their employer.
It is easy to see how this situation evolved. In addition to salary, an employer may offer additional benefits as an incentive to take a job. These might include, among other things, generous vacation time, stock options, and yes, cheaper health insurance.
Indeed, that can be an attractive benefit, as health insurance is very expensive. This is due to the fact that health care is expensive. However, large companies that represent hundreds or even thousands of employees, can negotiate lower prices that would be unavailable to individuals.
One downside to this scenario, though, is that having health care offered through an employer means employees are put at a severe disadvantage. A worker might be unhappy with a particular job, but feels they are unable to leave because they can’t afford to lose the health insurance for them and possibly their family.
Additionally, an employer’s choice of plan could impact what medical procedures an employee is allowed to get, or even which doctor they are allowed to have.
So, which is it? Is subsidized health insurance a nice perk that comes with signing on with a big company? Or is it a tool that gives an employer unfair leverage over their employees? Should health care be tied to a person’s employment?
Related questions: Is health care a human right? Health care: private or public? What does it mean to be healthy? Is your sense of self tied to your job?
Why Do We Allow Poverty To Exist?
Poverty is a known, defined problem that we could end if only we had the will to do so. So why doesn’t that happen?
Think of a disease, like smallpox. At one point in time, we didn’t know much about smallpox. Then we learned what it was, how it was transmitted, and how it could be treated. Then it was a difficult, but straightforward, process to eliminate smallpox.
Like smallpox, we know what poverty is. We can easily separate out the people who live under the poverty line from those living above it.
We also know what causes poverty. And finally, we know how to “treat” it. It regularly happens that an individual or a family is raised out of poverty. We know what to do to erase it from someone’s life.
So why, then, haven’t we, as a society, taken the final step and eliminated it, just as we eliminated smallpox? We could rid the world — or at least our country — of food insecurity, unstable housing, lack of health care, etc.
Of course, eliminating something is not easy. We can treat other diseases, but not eliminate them.
For example, cases of measles are on the rise in some communities, even with an effective, cheap, commonly-available treatment. While the numbers are down significantly from its peak, we’ve never been able to eliminate measles.
And, of course, poverty and disease differ in many ways. The analogy is not exact, and it may be that the differences are telling.
But the point is that we know there are things that can be done to reduce poverty, like pay higher wages or increase affordable housing. However, we don’t do them. Why not?
Related questions: Can we end poverty? What is the purpose of money? What are our responsibilities to others?
What Is Your Favorite Commercial?
Most commercials are annoying. Some however, are clever, funny, relatable, or heartwarming. Do you have a favorite?
Share why if you wish.