“The experiment started in a small way in 1994, when Estonia became the first country in Europe to introduce a “flat tax†on personal and corporate income. Income is taxed at a single uniform rate of 26%: no schedule of rates, no deductions. The economy has flourished. Others followed: first, Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia’s Baltic neighbours; later Russia (with a rate of 13% on personal income), then Slovakia (19% on personal and corporate income). One of Poland’s centre-right opposition parties is campaigning for a similar code (with a rate of 15%). So far eight countries have followed Estonia’s example (see article). An old idea that for decades elicited the response, “Fine in theory, just not practical in the real world,†seems to be working as well in practice as it does on the blackboard.” (more…)
Sphere: Related ContentFinding and losing history
History found Records of freed Va. slaves placed online History possibly lost (suburbanchicagonews.com) "A property once covered in unique objets d'art and so renowned even the Smithsonian Institution took notice now is slated for demolition. Kane County officials this week took further steps toward tearing down the long-abandoned African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives in Aurora Township by approving an application to the Circuit Court for demolition of 'dangerous and/or unsafe building.' 'This is the very beginning stage' of the demolition process, said Mark VanKerkhoff of the county's Development Department. It could be three to four months before the building actually is torn down, ...
Here we go again with another social experiment
TV One to begin Sunday show aimed at blacks NEW YORK (AP) — Roland Martin will anchor a new Sunday public affairs show aimed at a black audience that will debut in September on the TV One network. The "Washington Watch" program aims to tap into a new interest in politics and government due to the election of President Barack Obama, said Johnathan Rodgers, TV One's president and CEO. It debuts Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. ET, and the show will be repeated each week at 5 p.m. Martin, who is also a CNN commentator, will interview newsmakers and members of the Congressional ...
LA the hard way
When Antonio Villaraigosa ran for Mayor of Los Angeles a few years ago, most of his platform was based on the fact that he would be the first Hispanic Mayor in 133 years. Question his record beyond the historical narrative and suddenly you found yourself framed as one of "those people" who dislike all Hispanics. Well guess what I saw in the store the other day? That's right! The one time golden child for the Left who was gonna fix Los Angeles just by showing up is now being called a "failure" by a major publication. Just back in 2006, the ...
Why the rush to make Michael Jackson a “Christian”
On the days following the death of Michael Jackson, I read from two sources so-called accounts from Christians that Michael Jackson was in fact a Christian. Now I found the claim quite interesting because I know that MJ had also claimed to be a Muslim, Jehovah Witness and I believe that he also embraced Judaism to some extent. But how was it that all of a sudden folks were claiming that MJ was actually a Christian. Here was the first claim I came across. David Pack for purposedriven.com (The article was removed or moved to another link. But here is the ...
It begins here
Okay, all the hatin' over the BET Awards show is really getting silly. Don't like BET? Then work on changing the culture FIRST. If you can change the culture, you will decrease demand for what you feel misrepresents Black folks. Do it the other way around, and more "BETs" will pop up. Need an example? Some of y'all may remember back in the day when local churches would stage protests in front of local porn shops. Did they manage to get a few of them shut down? Sure did. But how did the porn industry respond to meet demand? They moved ...
March 21st, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Hooray hooray. Finally, a group of black folks willing to talk money. The IRS is a joke. All you have to do is know the rights codes and the right policy and you can get away with anything. Unfortunately, the masses don’t know how to keep their income in their pocket. A flat tax would solve a lot of problems. It would also prevent the poorest of the poor to bare the brunt of the taxes in this country. Sign me up. I have my flat tax money together.
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:40 pm
The poorest of the poor don’t pay taxes now. Under a flat tax, unless a minimum income was included, would charge the poor income tax.
March 22nd, 2006 at 6:34 pm
What do you mean the poor don’t pay tax. Are you mad. I see client’s on a part time basis and require them to bring in check stubs to show progress. I had a client bring me a check the other day for $80. And yes taxes had been taken out. He does not have dependants and does not own a home so he will not be getting it back at the end of the year. Poor people don’t pay taxes. HUH This is America everyone pays taxes.
March 24th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
C’mon Saudia. Keep it real.
If it was a weekly check, that amounts to $4160. per year. He gets it ALL back, plus additonal money. At $5.15 an hour, he only worked 15.5 hours. It ain’t easy out there for some people, but if he’s able-bodied, you might suggest a second job. If he isn’t, then he gets food stamps, welfare, Section 8, and is probably qualified for other programs.
March 24th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
He needs to live today not at the end of the year.