What should be taxed?

[Elwar]

... and inevitably, only the rich will enjoy these services, since they will leave any 'club' that gives them out for free to those who can't afford it. The poor will either rely on the protection of their masters, or fend for themselves in a world where any criminal knows there will be no repercussions for robbing or killing someone who can't afford protection.

Welcome to medieval Europe

So you are saying...the rich will eventually leave the 'clubs' that are giving away free stuff to those who can't afford it?

Like how people tend to emigrate from states with high taxes and move to low tax states?

Perhaps we should build walls to keep the rich in?

Welcome to Stalin's Russia.

[Elwar]

If you want a tax you must accept that you are willing to force someone to involuntarily give up their rightfully earned property. Otherwise known as theft.

Why do so many people accept forcing someone to do something against their will as the right thing to do?

[ozkapital]

Taxes should be organised such that the heaviest burden falls on the rich, with minimal burden on people who can least afford it.

I think they can gather more tax from middle class, then from the really rich, as the middle class a larger population.

[Leina]

Taxing anything further than consumption or the actual sale of goods is repeatedly taxing the same thing over and over again in my eyes.

And all politicians are well aware of that. They are simply taxing the population and using the money to buy vote for themselves.

[hollowframe]

What should be taxed? Nothing.

They would never work as there are many things that individuals cannot pay for, and that companies would not want to invest in. Roads are a great example of this, most people would not be able to pay for interstates that they directly use only a few times per year. They would still use the interstates for things like commerce (when they buy things that were produced in another state for example). As a result part of what they pay in taxes would be used to fund the interstate system.

[Nik1ab]

What should be taxed? Nothing.

They would never work as there are many things that individuals cannot pay for, and that companies would not want to invest in. Roads are a great example of this, most people would not be able to pay for interstates that they directly use only a few times per year. They would still use the interstates for things like commerce (when they buy things that were produced in another state for example). As a result part of what they pay in taxes would be used to fund the interstate system.

Roads are built by private construction companies. A collective payment of everyone who wants to use it would be enough.