News, Opinion July 26, 2012

Don’t Raise Anybody’s Taxes

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

Almost all of us believe we pay enough taxes.

So how can anyone claim that those who pay the most taxes still don’t pay enough?

The top 10 percent pay 71 percent of all federal income taxes. How can anyone claim they don’t pay their fair share?

And how is it fair that about half the country pays NO federal income taxes?

The purpose of taxes is to raise a proper level of money for a proper level of government. We should not convert taxes into a tool to say who we like and who we don’t. Who’s popular and who is not. Or to exercise jealousy of those who are rich.

The complexity of the tax code already hinders growth—meaning fewer jobs. Let’s not make it worse by telling those who create jobs that they should carry new and heavier tax burdens.

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

[audio:http://trns.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Istook1075-Dont-Raise-Anybodys-Taxes.mp3]

About Ernest Istook

View all posts by Ernest Istook
Ernest Istook
Ernest J. Istook Jr. brings extensive congressional experience to bear on public policy issues as a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He also hosts the talk radio show “Istook Live!” from Heritage’s Robert H. Bruce radio studio. Istook served 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before joining Heritage in 2007. Follow Ernest on Twitter @ErnestIstook
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