[daVinciLite]

With no “skin” in the game, should someone who pays no federal income tax be allowed to vote? After all, if current trends persist, how many taxpayers will be left to pay down the record national debt?

A non-taxpayer can vote for redistribution with little perceived loss on their end (notice I say perceived).

What do you think?

dVL

[Tradewinds]

Originally Posted by daVinciLite »

should someone who pays no federal income tax be allowed to vote?

All legal citizens must be allowed to vote. Ultimately all issues come down to the issue of good and evil. The problem is that most people have no idea what good is. Most peoples attitudes tend to gravitate towards their own self interests.

The vote is all about the balance of power. Some people will always try to gain more power for themselves. Without the vote, there is no way to balance power.

[electroniclocal]

Then let's also say anyone without a college degree or perhaps blue eyes or perhaps living only in NYC. Yes, lets take away the vote from the stupid masses who happen not to agree with what we may think.

[ake]

Originally Posted by daVinciLite »

With no “skin” in the game, should someone who pays no federal income tax be allowed to vote?
dVL

Interesting question. This is a public policy debate.

Same question, but from a personal ethics viewpoint could be:

"Should someone who pays no federal income tax vote?"

[daVinciLite]

Originally Posted by electroniclocal »

Then let's also say anyone without a college degree or perhaps blue eyes or perhaps living only in NYC. Yes, lets take away the vote from the stupid masses who happen not to agree with what we may think.

What does a collage degree, having blue eyes or living in NYC have to do with anything? There are plenty of people with those qualifications that pay NO federal income tax.

Amazing how people can bring race and education into every political idea.
People of a certain race are NOT smarter and people of a certain education are NOT the “smartest in the room.” In many cases educated people can be a lot dumber then usual.

If I hire someone for a job, don’t I get to tell them what to do? We hire politicians for a job. Maybe only the people who pay the bills should have to right to choose who gets elected.

At one time you had to own property to vote in the US. Of course this will never happen nor do I want it to, but it is still a curious question.

Another question: Can a socialist ever get elected if the people paying the bills were the ones making the voting decisions?

Another question: Why do so many US and English citizens get away with paying absolutely no federal income tax?

Regards,
dVL

[MightyMouse]

Originally Posted by daVinciLite »

What does a collage degree, having blue eyes or living in NYC have to do with anything? There are plenty of people with those qualifications that pay NO federal income tax.

Amazing how people can bring race and education into every political idea.
People of a certain race are NOT smarter and people of a certain education are NOT the “smartest in the room.” In many cases educated people can be a lot dumber then usual.

If I hire someone for a job, don’t I get to tell them what to do? We hire politicians for a job. Maybe only the people who pay the bills should have to right to choose who gets elected.

At one time you had to own property to vote in the US. Of course this will never happen nor do I want it to, but it is still a curious question.

Another question: Can a socialist ever get elected if the people paying the bills were the ones making the voting decisions?

Another question: Why do so many US and English citizens get away with paying absolutely no federal income tax?

Regards,
dVL

Is social or economic class different than race or religion when it comes to voting rights?
Should wealthy individuals not be allowed to vote on issues that are only of interest to the non-wealthy?

If you need to scratch your head and wonder were the money goes, look up to the wealthier classes and not to the poor. More money is spent in this country that benefits the wealthy than money that is spent benefiting the poor. Sounds like you might have listened to a little too much conservative radio.

It's easy to be a fool if you live a relatively healthy and wealthy life and naive to assume that everyone who receives more than they pay is scamming the govt.

Personally, I am completely against paying federal taxes, but have no issue with helping a person in need of financial or medical assistance.

[electroniclocal]

Originally Posted by daVinciLite »

What does a collage degree, having blue eyes or living in NYC have to do with anything?


dVL

That's the whole point. What does having money have do do with human rights, human dignity and the ability to play your role in your community.

The fact that this "question" is even asked or considered as something that could be debated says a lot.

Having money is an attribute just like having blue eyes or a colledge degree. As human beings in a community, deenfranchising anyone, not because of him committing a crime against the community, but because he just happens not to contribute money, quite abhorent to me. Some people make their contributions in other ways: playing music, painting, social assistance and so on. Just because I have a talent for making money does not give me the right to tell everyone how things should be in a society. In a democracy, the majority rules. Any one who doesn't like it can vote with his feet. People seem to be quoting Winston Churchill a lot recently. He said: "democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time".

[daVinciLite]

Originally Posted by electroniclocal »

He said: "democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time".

I understand your point and I agree in principle, but if there are more people taking from a society then giving, that democracy will cease to exist in the near future. It will turn into some sort of totalitarian state where others are forced to “give” what they have. Cuba has elections and they have a 99% turn out rate, but of course there is only one candidate.

Why are you so sure all wealthy people pay taxes? Do the wealthy in Greece pay their share? I am not an expert, but from what I hear the answer is NO. The multinational GE paid very little US income tax last year.

You are missing the whole point of the question. It is not about the wealthy or poor telling anyone how to live. It is about fairness and the right for the “rich,” not so rich and even the poor to earn a living in freedom. Again, not all taxes are paid by the wealthy.

From what I see people who live on social assistance for a substantial length of time loose their dignity. With there dignity gone, they have a hard time contributing anything.

Regards,
dVL