If tax complexity equals corruption, perhaps the US is one of the most corrupt nations in the world and we just don’t know it.
The U.S. tax system is not simply corrupt, it is corrupt in a deceptive manner that has degraded the entire system of American government. Congress is able to funnel vast sums of money in perpetuity to its favored funders through the tax code without anyone realizing it.
@Roger Conklin, I could be wrong, but I believe Americans with foreign addresses can contribute to PACs, which usually seem to be the fundraising vehicles for foreign fund-raising events.
In order to contribute directly to a candidate’s election campaign in the 2008 elections, I had to use my parents home address (which is where I am registered to vote) and could not use my UK address. ISTR that the candidates’ web sites were adamant about US addresses.
@rogerconklin- In my statement I was relying on the story that I believe was told by Victoria. She stated that she had sent in a contribution to but that it was rejected due to the foreign address. In the end her contribution only got accepted once she supplied a U.S. address.
It could be that maybe it was that candidate’s policy, in which case i would be wrong.
As for non-U.S. citizens who are resident in the U.S. and not able to vote, being able to make political contributions I think that their are two simple explanations:
1. Money is all that politicians need so they aren’t going to turn it down, unless they have too.
2. It would be hard to prohibit such a contribution unless you made all contributors show proof of citizenship but that is a lot of paperwork for a campaign to go through.
@recalcitrantexpat, I have been able to confirm that contributions from US citizens with foreign addresses that are accompanyed by proof of US citizenship such as a copy of their passport data page, are accepted with gratitude. The concern in receiving a contribution from a foreign address is that it might be from a non-citizen unless there is also confirmation of citizenship. Also, it was the Supreme Court that ruled that non-citizen residents of the US are permitted to make such contributions.
@rogerconklin- thank you for that correction
@renounce
It is not just a matter of how to tax, it is also whether to tax (who needs the money and why), and who is going to collect it (the IRS, the States, etc.)
The theory of taxation is just a theory. When you realize the money is wasted or is going to a politician’s wallet, the economic theory no longer matters.
Second, would you trust Congress to remove one of the taxes? No, they’ll have two taxes, because that means more money for them.
Third, would you trust the IRS or any US or State govt agency to administer it? Keep in mind govt employees are the most incompetent of all, and govt regulations the most ridiculous of all.
Something funny: the new health insurance/health care law. Who has Congress chosen to administer it? The IRS. Why? Because the IRS has the best records on US citizens and believe it or not, is considered the most competent amongst the incompetent.
Who handles health care in Canada? Canada Revenue?
@M
In Canada, although we have a ‘national’ medicare program, the Federal Government remits ‘health care’ dollars to each Province and Territory and the provinces/territories administer those dollars. As an example, some provinces charge the individual a ‘health care premium’ other provinces the residents do not pay a ‘health care premium. Some provinces provide ‘free drugs’ to seniors, other provinces the amount someone pays is based on their income.
There’re only two people who ever have understood the Internal Revenue Code in its entirety. One is dead, and the other still is in therapy.
… including the Economist who is having a nervous break down…
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2012/03/26/citigroup-economist-says-us-tax-system-nearly-gave-him-nervous-breakdown/