There is only one way out of the mess we're in. The road to solvency will involve decades of SERIOUS taxation - progressive taxation.
The filthy rich are long overdue for a good soaking. It's either that or get used to living in a country in ruins. Wake up.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, New York
Study: Progressive tax system associated with greater happiness
ProudProgressive
2011/09/07 11:43:48
Progressive tax system associated with greater happiness: study
By Eric W. Dolan
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
The more progressive a tax system -- where higher tax brackets have higher tax rates -- the more likely people are to report feeling they live the "best possible life," according to a new study comparing 54 nations.
"The more progressive the tax policy is, the happier the citizens are," said University of Virginia psychologist Shigehiro Oishi, the lead author of the study.
The study analyzed a total of 59,634 people surveyed by the Gallup Organization in 2007 and found those living in the nations with the most progressive taxation evaluated their own quality of life higher than those living in nations with flatter taxation.
That happiness, according to Oishi, was "explained by a greater degree of satisfaction with the public goods, such as housing, education, and public transportation."
"If the goal of societies is to make citizens happy, tax policy matters," he said. "Certain policies, like tax progressivity, seem to be more conducive to the happiness of the people."
Surprisingly, even though people's quality of life was associated with their satisfaction with state-funded services, higher government spending did not yield greater happiness.
"That data is kind of weird," Oishi said. He theorized that this result may be because some nations spend their money more effectively than others, noting that the U.S. spends more on education and health care than other developed countries, yet has a lower international standing in those areas.
Oishi's study will be published in the next issue of the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Science. It was co-authored by Ulrich Schimmack of the University of Toronto at Mississauga and Ed Diener of the University of Illinois.
The study followed up on a previous study conducted by Oishi that analyzed 48,000 respondents over 37 years and found income disparity in the U.S. was associated with unhappiness -- except for the richest 20 percent.
"Income disparity has grown a lot in the U.S., especially since the 1980s," he explained. "With that, we've seen a marked drop in life satisfaction and happiness."
Both studies show only correlations and not causation, meaning the connection between economics and personal satisfaction is unclear. Other factors could have contributed to the differences in self-reported quality of life.
Nevertheless, Oishi concluded: "If we care about the happiness of most people, we need to do something about income inequality."
By Eric W. Dolan
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
The more progressive a tax system -- where higher tax brackets have higher tax rates -- the more likely people are to report feeling they live the "best possible life," according to a new study comparing 54 nations.
"The more progressive the tax policy is, the happier the citizens are," said University of Virginia psychologist Shigehiro Oishi, the lead author of the study.
The study analyzed a total of 59,634 people surveyed by the Gallup Organization in 2007 and found those living in the nations with the most progressive taxation evaluated their own quality of life higher than those living in nations with flatter taxation.
That happiness, according to Oishi, was "explained by a greater degree of satisfaction with the public goods, such as housing, education, and public transportation."
"If the goal of societies is to make citizens happy, tax policy matters," he said. "Certain policies, like tax progressivity, seem to be more conducive to the happiness of the people."
Surprisingly, even though people's quality of life was associated with their satisfaction with state-funded services, higher government spending did not yield greater happiness.
"That data is kind of weird," Oishi said. He theorized that this result may be because some nations spend their money more effectively than others, noting that the U.S. spends more on education and health care than other developed countries, yet has a lower international standing in those areas.
Oishi's study will be published in the next issue of the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Science. It was co-authored by Ulrich Schimmack of the University of Toronto at Mississauga and Ed Diener of the University of Illinois.
The study followed up on a previous study conducted by Oishi that analyzed 48,000 respondents over 37 years and found income disparity in the U.S. was associated with unhappiness -- except for the richest 20 percent.
"Income disparity has grown a lot in the U.S., especially since the 1980s," he explained. "With that, we've seen a marked drop in life satisfaction and happiness."
Both studies show only correlations and not causation, meaning the connection between economics and personal satisfaction is unclear. Other factors could have contributed to the differences in self-reported quality of life.
Nevertheless, Oishi concluded: "If we care about the happiness of most people, we need to do something about income inequality."
Read More: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/06/progressive-...
Top Opinion
-
Tom Degan 2011/09/07 11:52:54
You know what that sort of a system is called, don't you - it's called Communism.
I assume you already know that a "flat tax" is simply a scam to further shift the burden of maintaining our government on those with the lowest income levels.
Are you calling Harry Reid a liar? (I am)
I support the Fair Tax, a national sales tax that replaces all other forms of federal taxation. But I don't expect to see it in my lifetime, for a Fair Tax would take power away from politicians.
Before you go on about the poor paying more taxes with the Fair Tax, they already do pay taxes, its just that thier taxes are hidden in the products and services they purchase. Let's eliminate all hidden taxes and all tax loopholes.
As far as income inequality...........no one said life was fair. My problem with that is all these financial firms and corporations we bailed out still paid out bonuses to those who didn't do their jobs and that is where the problem is...........corruption and unethical behavior runs deep where big money and government is concerned and that is what needs to be addressed. Good luck with that they scratch each others backs.
I certainly don't expect there to be NO income inequality. I think the problem is when there is too much money concentrated in too few hands. The greater the inequality, however, the less fair the results become. Here's one chart that I think illustrates our growing problem well.
In recent years, the income level of the top 1% has steadily increased, while the income level for all the rest of us has remained flat. If we are talking "fairness", I would expect the two curves to be roughly parallel. In 1980 the top earners were averaging about five times the level of the "middle 60%". By 2005 they were earning over twenty times the level of that same middle 60%. (I couldn't find a more recent chart, but I'll bet the level is a lot higher now.) To me, that is not fair.
I agree with the rest of your post; however, I still feel all Americans should pay their fair share. Our problem isn't a taxation problem as much as it is a spending problem. Our government has been on a spending spree for 40 years and it is catching up to them........us.
The filthy rich are long overdue for a good soaking. It's either that or get used to living in a country in ruins. Wake up.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, New York