November 5, 2026
“Don’t eat your seed corn.” This means don’t take short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability. Self
I have been thinking about my federal tax bill. Seems the harder I work the more taxes I have to pay. The current federal tax code is progressive. Higher income people pay a higher percent. Why is that?
If I want to buy an F-150 truck from a local Ford dealer, the price I would pay is determined between the Ford dealer and me. That price is not based on my current income. Low, middle, and high-income customers all pay the same amount for the same truck. This principle is the same for any restaurant, clothing store, Lowes/Home Depot, grocery store, Amazon, etc. That seems “fair to me.” We all pay the same! If I hire a contractor to install new gutters on my home, the price is determined by the job, not by my income.
For federal income tax, I propose we all pay the same. That can be done only 2 ways. One-flat amount, say $5,000 each year. Now that is completely fair. Equality/Equity and inclusion. Everyone is included. No tax breaks for married couples, those with children, part-timers, those paid with tips, no mortgage deductions. Keep it simple. Everyone pays $5,000.
Or option 2: everyone pays the same percent. For an example, everyone pays 8%. So, for a married couple each earning $75,000, there tax bill would be $6,000 each. And if a person earns $200,000 that person would pay $16,000. The higher your income the more costly the Federal Services are. Hmmmm?
Afterall, your tax $$$’s go to the Federal government to provide healthcare, roads, dams, bridges, parks, education, national defense, the Post Office, Disaster and emergency services, state benefits, and social benefits. Actually, those people that use the most federal services, currently pay the least in income taxes.
To be absolutely fair, money paid to individuals in the form of welfare must be included as income. Single mothers with 3 children can receive $800+/month in SNAP benefits. That amount, $800 X 12 months =$9,600 must be included as income. Why not? Those payments are income to the mother. Social security is income and taxed, why not include welfare benefits?
Using the principals of DEI, I prefer the “everyone pay a fixed amount. It represents fairness, equity and inclusion.
Footnote: to achieve a balanced federal budget, cut the size and scope of the federal government. And-aggressively go after fraud. That will lower our tax bill. DUH!
