Sugary sodas contain corn syrup, but the American Agricultural Department subsidizes American farmers for growing corn, and this is one of the reasons that high-fructose corn syrup is so ubiquitous in the food supply. We are taxing corn syrup and subsidizing it at the same time, in other words. "The bigger issue, which the industry neither can nor particularly cares to rebut, is that the product [corn syrup] exists at all. We pump absurd quantities of cash into subsidizing corn (we also have a huge tariff on Brazilian sugar cane, incidentally). Over the past 10 years alone, Congress has appropriated more than $50 billion to encourage farmers to grow the stuff. But people don't want to eat $50 billion in subsidized corn. And if the cobs just sat around developing mold, Congress would cut off the spigot. Enter high fructose corn syrup, which sucks up the subsidies and created a world in which calories from a sweet, highly caloric additive have become the cheapest of all energy sources" (Klein 2008). One hand of the government 'slaps' the public for drinking liquefied corn, while the government continues to subsidize corn and an industry that generates a highly sweetened, dangerously processed product. A final, general criticism of sin taxes is that they are regressive -- poorer people tend to smoke, gamble, consume alcohol, and eat processed foods more than the wealthy, in terms of the percentage of income these products claim. All consumption taxes, including sales taxes are regressive as the poor tend to spend a larger percentage of their income on goods and services, as they do not have the luxury of saving it in the bank. The idea that the poor are being discouraged...
However, it is also possible to argue that the working poor and lower middle-class might benefit more from healthcare reform.
This is designed to help support individuals who are dealing with financial challenges. The problem is that select amounts of recipients will use as a way to live off of the government. (Wolf, 2005) How might a socialist and a capitalist government differ in its treatment of the problem of unemployment? Socialists want to see massive amounts of government spending to create new jobs, training programs and provide unemployment benefits. A
Tax Equity and Fairness Taxes on property are also known as ad valorem tax imposed on the real value of the estate or other assets that an individual owns. The local government imposes these property taxes and charges are on a recurring basis (Mikesell, 2014). For example, a homeowner either pays their taxes on a yearly basis or gives a monthly fee as part of the mortgage payments. It is worth
sales tax reform in America. Specifically it will discuss the idea of an alternate tax system, the National Sales Tax and compare it to the current tax code. A new way of collecting taxes seems much more fair and equitable than the current income tax method, which seems antiquated and unfair. Some large corporations and America's wealthiest people pay very little or no taxes through tax loopholes, which makes
Works Cited Thorndike, Joseph J. "The IRS Is Hiding Its History." The Washington Times. December 19, 1997, p. A23. February 18, 2008. http://www.taxhistory.org/thp/readings.nsf/cf7c9c870b600b9585256df80075b9dd/9de7fcd59915a3be85256e430079327d?OpenDocument Question After 9/11, the Federal Reserve Bank, then led by Alan Greenspan, used monetary policy reduced the interest rate, or the rate that consumers must pay to borrow money. This did encourage individuals to spend more. However, it is still debatable if this was the most vital component in extricating America
Drug Policy American Drug Policy: Marijuana Marijuana is one of the most vilified drugs in history and it very difficult to see just why this is so. The United States used to have a thriving agricultural concern that consisted of hemp (marijuana) famers producing plants for their fibers and seeds. The fibers were used in products such as rope and paper and the seeds were used to make oil which served as
Mortgage Fraud If a rash of armed bank robberies swept across America next year, and if in these robberies criminals absconded with $30 billion dollars, one may be certain that a public panic would ensue. The banking system would likely be changed forever. If thousands of armed thugs went rampaging across the nation forcing people out of their homes, into the streets, and then destroying the properties, leaving the occupants homeless
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