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this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2024
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No Stupid Questions
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Among the many problems we have in heading there is that vice taxes are implemented at the state and tribal (for tobacco) levels, so it’s impossible to have a consistent policy.
Cigarettes are a perfect example with a wide range of taxes depending on the state, and last I knew, sales on reservations were tax free.
Looking it up, I see
That is such a huge difference: how do you turn that into a national policy?
You can also lol at life expectancy by state and see how each values its citizens
How the heck can there not be an uproar at that life expectancy difference? How can some states keep following the same pattern despite such clear impact on life? Sure, a lot of it is likely poverty rates, but it’s the same set of policies, not just one particular vice tax
Edit: before anyone credits simply the tropical paradise of Hawaii for too much of that life expectancy, Washington, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are right up there without the weather advantage
The UK also has much higher income taxes. Comparing US and UK income taxes:
US income tax is ferarally controlled. I don't have exact numbers but increases in income tax for the highest earners should be able to fund a public healthcare system, at least for the lowest earners in the US.
https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/united-states/individual/taxes-on-personal-income https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates
Edit: There are also state income taxes, which vary for some reason, I'm sure theres also county and city based taxes as well, processing them must be a nightmare. Is the US just 52 countries in a trench coat?
It seems that way sometimes.
There’s variation between states as a form of competition. For example Texas might attract people by claiming no state income tax, whereas Massachusetts might attract people with 100% medical insurance coverage, best education, highest quality of life.
When someone compares income tax rates and claims US is lower, I really don’t believe it because I know there are many taxing entities that are all separate from each other. I have no idea what other countries’ tax situation is, but are you really picking a fair comparison, if your taxing model is simpler? I’m cynical enough to expect we’re probably worse off than a simple comparison would show
You're probably right about being worse off overall, just so much unnecessary complexity. We do have council tax here, but that depends on how big a house you live in and how expensive the area is to maintain for the council. And its a fixed rate per household, owed monthly while you're at the same address. But I know the councils get most of thier funding from the state budget and other income streams like selling land. Theres also national insurance too which I guess is like social security. https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance
I have no idea ehich one is better, or costs more, but the UK does seem to offer more in return. Admittedly I only see the bad news stories about the US so have no idea what its like "on the ground". I've been to Florida, New York and Vermont, so I see how states are very different places with different needs, understandible why theres not a lot of state unity on issues.
Yeah, I do want to say that nothing is as bad as our bad news highlights. Even all the crazy”Florida Man” stuff, at least some of that is from laws favoring transparency in the legal system over other places favoring privacy of the accused. A lot of the political craziness is just posturing for points. Gun violence may be twice that of other developed countries but it’s still pretty low and most people do not live in fear. Etc etc.
I’d even claim some of what you hear is good, in that it’s a good value to criticize your own society. That’s how we get better.
Then again, most of it is probably outrage headlines and clickbait.