>>>>Hard to believe the day actually existed when Americans were complaining over a total of 2% taxes based on your income. That included taxes on liquor and everything else people purchased (most came from overseas) too. I seem to recall that escaping excess taxation and government control was one of the many reasons some of my ancestors came to this country andm many fought to limit these...what would they think now? Somehow I think all of my ancestors would be sadly dissapointed-that is of course, except that one ancestor of mine - Governor Thomas Hutchinson who would is probably smiling...
>>>>
>>>
>>>TWO PERCENT? What country do you live in? With Federal, State and local government taxes, sales taxes, VAT, payroll taxes, ad infinitum.... most middle class folks work the first five months of the year for Uncle Sam before they start working for themselves.... i.e., about 40-45% of their income is taxes directly or by hidden taxes.
>>>
>>>The only folks who don't pay are the poor, and many companies like Microsoft, that get corporate welfare from the government. Every time they pay an employee with stock options, which their board authorizes whenever and print out on the Xerox in the back room, they get to avoid deducting that payroll expense on their income, making their net income seem much larger than it really is. The employee has to pay the option tax, and MS pockets the welfare handout from the government for using stock options in such a manner, courtesy of the "Conscience of the Senate", Sen. Joseph Liberman.
>>>JLK
>>
>>Jerry;
>>
>>I understand where Tracy is coming from.
>>
>>The vast majority of taxes collected in the United States came from internal excise taxes on products such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as from tariffs and duties on products coming into this country.
>>The first Income Tax was imposed during the Civil War. It only lasted for ten years and it was repealed in 1871
>>
>>The Income Tax Act of 1894 was part of the Tariff Act of 1894, 28 Stat. 509, 553,. It called for a two percent [2%] Income Tax on yearly gains, etc. above $4,000 from 1895 to 1900.)
>>
>>The Income Tax of 1894 was deemed to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, which wanted to protect the wealthy from taxation. Better to tax consumption then the wealthy.
>>
>>In 1913, the original Federal Income Tax was imposed at the following rates—
>>$3,000 to $20,000 in earnings……………………1% Income Tax
>>$20,000 to $50,000 in earnings…………………..2% Income Tax
>>$50,000 to $75,000 in earnings…………………..3% Income Tax
>>$75,000 to $100,000 in earnings…………………4% Income Tax
>>$100,000 to $250,000 in earnings………………..5% Income Tax
>>$250,000 to $500,000 in earnings………………..6% Income Tax
>>Over $500,000 in earnings…………………..…….7% Income Tax
>>(Remember, the average family income in 1913 was only $500 per year.)
>>
>>And today?
>>
>
>My appologies... I mis-read the question. Excellent response, Tom, thanks!
>>
>>
>>Tom

Jerry;

I can see the future (not really - but...)! All pay checks will be issued and controlled by the federal governemnt. What they do not use will be passed on to state government, local government and if anything is left, you will "get what you deserve"!

Tom