| Spending Your Taxes |
| Wednesday, 23 April 2008 | |
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I'm very late posting on this month's synchroblog on Social Activism and Christian Mission. One of the topics that came up recently in my ethics class while discussing utilitarian ethics, is the government's use of taxes. Two of the main highlights of the discussion were:
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John ~ I find it curious that for most of american history, our government was able to operate without an income tax and managed to stay in the green. Interestingly enough, we have become the type of government that we origianally fled from in the 1700's. As a society, we are too dependant on our federal government to handle all of our problems.
As for a military, it is necessary but only for the protection of our own borders, not for conquest. As for health care, I am not a fan of government subsidized health care.....think of what happened when HMO's came about and how really out of hand that type of medicine can get. 1 report abuse
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April 24, 2008
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We do have some accountability in the way the money is spent.
It's called elections every two years for members of congress, every six years for members of the senate and every four years for the president The fact that most Americans don't take advantage of this doesn't mean there isn't accountability. If the American people keep electing the same folks to office, overall, they must be pretty satisfied with what's going on in spite of what they say. Would I change the mix of where we spend money, probably...but I'm one person. The congressmen and senators have to try to satisfy me as well as hundreds of thousands and in cases of senators often millions of other constituents. 2 report abuse
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April 24, 2008
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I find my reaction to taxes very interesting - if i was asked whether i would be happy paying more tax to help pay for social care to support the poor i say yes but when the govt cuts my rate of tax so i feel wealthier i cheer!
As an auditor i work in the UK public sector so am very well aware of the accountability that exists, certainly in terms of the UK govt. It is a system of account that actually is very effective - corruption, bribary, misapppropriation of public money will always happen but the fact that the incidence is so small and when it does happen is such a shock is a good sign! 3 report abuse
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April 25, 2008
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Though I believe we have to pay any taxes, I struggle with the ethics of collecting taxes. It often involves little more than taking from some to give to others. Dunno, but if force is used to take the $$, I don't see it as a virtue.
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April 25, 2008
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