Taxes are the membership dues for living in society.

Our tax system has been geared towards perpetuating a class-based economy for many a moon. A progressive tax is far fairer than what passes for our tax code these days. In the 30 years from WWII to the Nixon Administration, we had nominal rates as high as 94% and as “low” as 70%.

Today, we’ve given away the store to those who already have a disproportionate share of wealth and income. You’re correct that double-taxation is ridiculous; avoidance of the estate tax is ridiculous; and all the exemptions that shield the wealthy from paying their fair share are, likewise, ridiculous.

An infrastructure program, coupled with a conversion away from hydrocarbon-based energy towards renewable energy, and significant programs geared towards modern manufacturing and service industries could employ many millions of people, protect our environment, and generate substantial increases in tax revenues.

But that would require folks having the good sense and personal integrity to actually do something about their elected representatives…..