[Am-info] Off Topic Question

[Telus]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Hinds" <zoro980@attbi.com>
To: "am-info" <am-info@venice.essential.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 5:04 PM
Subject: [Am-info] Off Topic Question


>
> Please excuse this, but I'm looking for understanding of why we (the
people)
> are allowing ourselves to be squeezed into oblivion by our political
system.
> I'm specically thinking about federal taxes.
>
> I have 4 issues.
>
> 1. Social Security Tax.
>     It seems clear to me that we pay 12%, not 6% since the employer's
contribution
>     is simply a way of hiding part of this tax. Why do WE allow this?
Salaries
>     should merely be adjusted up 6% and 12% should be deducted for SSI.
People
>     should see what they pay.

We?  Or do you really mean the citizens of the united states of america?
>
> 2. Social Security is simply a tax, not a market competive pension plan.
I'm
>     not certain of this and will investigate further, but assuming it is
true,
>     then SSI is really a tax and should NOT be capped
>     ie 12% * 1.0e+6 = 120,000, not 8,800.
???

>
> 3. Corporate Taxes
>     Since all for profit Corps pay these (to varying degrees :-) it can be
assumed
>     that Corporate Taxes are merely passed along all the way down to the
consumer.
>     So, I conclude that Corporate Taxes are merely a highly disguised
sales tax on
>     ALL goods and services. Shouldn't we get rid of these things? This
would increase
>     the competiveness of US business in the world market, as well as lower
the cost
>     of good and services.

If any USA corporations are not taxed, and other members of the NAFTA
agreement are, in countries that are taxed, then I would assume a duty would
be imposed on any exports to any other member of the NAFTA....  Or are you
assuming The USA will again throw out any prior agreements that were made?

BTW the above problems with trusting the USA, signing agreements only to see
them repeatedly being torn up when it is advantageous to George Bush and his
 friends (both political and financial).  That is one huge stumbling block
regarding foreign investment and trusting the USA financial system.  This is
why billions and billions of dollars are leaving the USA and going into
other countries where there is a better perception of trust.

The four countries that have the largest stake in investments in the USA are
Japan, Canada, The UK, and Germany.  All of them hold the USA in distain for
lack of controls over corporations misdeeds.  If only 10% of the investments
from these countries leaves the USA and goes to greener pastures, the USA
economy is in for a big tumble.  The investments of residents of the USA
alone cannot support the US dollar at the level it is today.  Without
massive foriegn investment the dollar will tumble.

Much more than a speech from the chief jester in the USA will be needed to
assure outside money does not leave the USA.  In fact it is my belief that
it is now too late to prevent this.

Ferengi capitalism at its worst......