It’s time for a change

@mikekerstetter

That's good to know Mike.

I suspect we agree on more than we disagree.

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Bobbie you are just miserable.

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JerryfromRI-"I actually favor the flat tax. I'd be thrilled if the PA model became the national model."

Something we agree on.

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Another one that's good at listening but has no capacity for rational thought. The only tax in the entire country that is in any way regressive is the FICA tax, and because as you pay more, your return percentage decreases, even it is really progressive. The left loves to call fair taxation, regressive. You wouldn't think a tax where everyone pays the same percentage could possibly be seen as anything but fair, but to the Progressives running our government it doesn't allow for a sufficient level of class warfare. The reason Progressives need class warfare comes from the real ideology behind it. What are Progressives progressing toward? Communism!

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Grammie "or you can be miserable and do nothing but complain about what you don't have, but do nothing to change it."

Apt description of Fido, Lazy and Carlitos.

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wwhickok, I don't think you can assign a $ figure to "Poor" . I think it's a state of mind. You can have low income and make the most of it and be happy with your life and grateful for what you have, or you can be miserable and do nothing but complain about what you don't have, but do nothing to change it.I know people in both.

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Looks like Vince needs a clue.

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Poor: I consider myself poor, I make 17k/year, I have a wife and son, and our monthly income barely covers our expenses. In fact I believe that puts my wife and I at the edge of poverty. But in reality is that poor? I don't believe that's for me to decide. There are plenty of people in this Country who have it worse off them I do. I definitely agree with Grammie, that it's getting harder to define what "poor" really is considering, as she mentioned, there are many people who get welfare and other assistance who are well off at the end of the month. I only bring my personal income up to illustrate the point of just how hard it really is to define the word poor. I own a car, have a place to live, have a job, have a great family, yes I don't make much, but I have a lot of material possessions. So can I really say I'm poor? Who decides this? I assume the government but I don't think there is a fool proof way to separate the truly poor from the 'supposedly poor'.

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I actually favor the flat tax. I'd be thrilled if the PA model became the national model.

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That means 25% have it better.

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Exactly what is the definition of 'poor' these days. Maybe, no cell phone, no food stamps, living on the street for starters. Most poor in this country have it better than 75% of the world's population.

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It's getting harder to define just what "poor" is anymore. I know people on welfare/SSI who live pretty well and have no worries when you consider all the added benefits they get. I also know working families who struggle from paycheck to paycheck and make just enough that they don't qualify for any benefits. So what IS poor these days?

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Keep it the way it is. Maybe raise the sales tax a little, Maybe raise the income tax a little. But I personally like the flat tax, I know what I am spending. I may not like but I know what it is.

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Chuck said "Nice to see how clueless the right is."

Considering your past history in that area Chuck, did you mean that as a compliment?

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Wai I have to explain that last statement.

They have clearly defined what 'poor' is, having nothing at all. Apparently only the 'rich' do nothing but spend all of their money. When did the purchase of smokes and beer become an elitist symbol?

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Nice to see how clueless the right is.

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If you say "what are the poor buying that they need the sales tax lowered", then you clearly are only guessing. You assume that is all "poor" people buy. This may surprise you. "Poor" people also buy furniture, appliances, cheap vehicles, etc. You are making a blanket assumption equating poor with drunk and smoking. That is an unfair statement.

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Don't hold your breath waiting for Sen. Casey to get something done. He is the most least productive Sen. in US history.

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Gavin asked - "So what are the poor buying that they need the sales tax lowered?"

Beer and cigarettes.

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Beside funding child prostitution rings, enlighten us Mr Faust on the accomplishments of Bob Casey.

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Excellent comment Gavin56.

I am reminded of that nicety (ie exempt food and clothing) everytime I come back home.

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If you want to switch tax mechanisms, eliminate the state income and replace it with a BIG real estate tax like we have in Texas. Texas' average income is less than PA's but the real estate tax seems to work well for all. Of course TX also has severance and ad volurem taxes on those oil companies.

I guess the best combination would be to work in Texas for your career while you live in a smaller house that is taxed at a lower rate and then retire back to PA once you have no salaried income.

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The working poor can claim Tax Forgiveness on thier Personal Income Taxes to eliminate or reduce thier tax depending on thier income.The property taxes are what is hurting many.There is a program to help elderly and disabled in the form of a rent/property tax rebate, but nothing for younger low income homeowners.

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By exempting both food and clothing, the essentials, the PA sales tax is already progressive and favors the poor.

So what are the poor buying that they need the sales tax lowered?

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David Faust-"Pennsylvania's 6 percent sales tax and the 3.07 personal income tax are both regressive taxes that punish the poor and reward the rich."

I still haven't found a credible argument on how that is true. Since the rich get paid more and buy more they by default pay more in taxes than the poor.

The only taxes that need replaced in PA are real estate taxes. There is a tax that is hard on the poor and elderly.

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