Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

 GI      $

270 CHAPTER 11

pay a percentage of their income that could go to food or

rent. In addition, they argue that if allowances are made

for poverty status, medical and home mortgage interest

deductions, and other kinds of exceptions, it will not take

very long for the new system to resemble the old one.

The proposed flat tax would immediately change the

deductions and exemptions eliminated, there would be no

need for tax specialists looking for ways to save people and

not become more honest in reporting their income. If they

stand to pay less in taxes with a flat tax than they had in

years past, then citizens probably will report their income.

business transactions and economy may go underground.

not considered by all to be fairer or an improvement on the

present system. Although it may solve some problems

(greatly simplifying the code, for example), other problems

may arise and might even make things worse (loss of

needed deductions, regressive effect on the poor).

that they are keeping more of their income, that

governmental services are not being curtailed, and that

everyone is paying their fair share. Defining fair share is at

the heart of the issue.

Response 2

The flat tax means that people will no longer have to spend

long hours and lots of money trying to figure out how much

they owe (or how much they should get back from) the

nothing, others paying 28%, and still others paying 39% of

their income, the flat tax would have everyone pay the same

rate. Many people feel this is the best way of dealing with

the problem of paying for the government. Because all

the protection of the armed forces, and public schooling, it

how little they might be able to afford. Perhaps, for some

people, any amount of taxation would prove to be a severe

burden; in these rare instances, it would be wise to exempt

nature and operation of tax accounting in this country. With

businesses money. On a larger scale, people may or may

If, however, they stand to lose money because of the

elimination of loopholes, then much of the nation’s

In conclusion, the flat tax, although clearly simpler, is

Ultimately, a flat tax will only succeed if people believe

government each year. Instead of some people paying

citizens, rich and poor, receives the benefit of paved streets,

seems logical that everyone should have to pay, no matter