BPR Quotes of the Day
Thomas Jefferson’s views on who should be paying taxes would clearly disqualify him as a member of today’s Republican Party…..
“The collection of taxes… has been as yet only by duties on consumption. As these fall principally on the rich, it is a general desire to make them contribute the whole money we want, if possible. And we have a hope that they will furnish enough for the expenses of government and the interest of our whole public debt, foreign and domestic.” –Thomas Jefferson to Comte de Moustier, 1790. ME 8:110
“The rich alone use imported articles, and on these alone the whole taxes of the General Government are levied. … Our revenues liberated by the discharge of the public debt, and its surplus applied to canals, roads, schools, etc., the farmer will see his government supported, his children educated, and the face of his country made a paradise by the contributions of the rich alone, without his being called on to spend a cent from his earnings.” –Thomas Jefferson to Thaddeus Kosciusko, 1811. ME 13:41
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Arlen Grossman, in this quote, Thomas Jefferson was speaking of taxes on consumption. If he could see the end result of the income tax code that we presently have, he might object to it.
He most certainly would be alarmed by it.
Arlen Grossman, Thomas Jefferson spoke of taxing consumption. He was not speaking of taxation on income.
But Jeffrey, wasn’t his point that the rich will pay most, if not all, of the taxes. Consumption or income, as long as the rich, who have benefited by the system, pay the most. Wealth inequality right now is unacceptable, don’t you think?
Arlen Grossman, I am not a fan of income inequality by any means. However, since income can fluctuate from one year to another, I oppose taxing income on those grounds. Taxing consumption would be better. Mainly because revenue streams would be more stable.
Mr. Jefferson said and did a lot of great things (even though his record on slave ownership is not so wonderful).
I am going to bookmark this! Next time I get into a discussion on what Jefferson considered a fair tax, i’ll know where to go.