Hornets' Tyson Chandler Waxes Poetic on Tax Breaks for Middle Class

1. OK, here's my view--- If I work harder or smarter and I make more than the other guy why do I have to pay a higher percentage of taxes than some one who chooses not to work as hard or who dose not take the time or effort to make smart decisions on their investments?
I believe in fair and equal tax rates for all! We should have a flat tax with the same tax rate for all! No fricking special deductions or special tax breaks for the wealthy. That is the B/S that we need to get rid of!

I say lets go with a flat 18% tax on income only and get rid of the need for tax lawyers and tax accountants and also no more need for 20 different tax forms that are all too complicated anyway! Get rid of property taxes and inheritance(death) taxes. These are so unfair. If we have to have a higher flat rate, then so be it? Just so long as it is the same for every one!

Oh yeah and we could alleviate a lot of our over government that is way out of control. "Less is more!" Especially when it pertains to the government! we also should put a moratorium on making any new laws for the next 10 years. We have enough laws today! We need to work on getting rid of some bad or outdated laws and make life easier for all.

Enough for now. Maybe I will write more later? Please let me know if anyone likes these idea's?

Thanks for reading.

Todd Z. at 4:29PM on Oct 15th 2008

2. Hey Todd,

I think that is a great idea! And while we're at it, no tax breaks because someone is a breeder. It's disgusting that because some of do the right thing we are penalized with more taxes. Why should I pay for someone elses child's schooling? Why should I have to cut a check every year to the Feds while someone else gets a larger refund than they actually paid just because they are a breeder?

Chez-Cerise at 1:58PM on Oct 22nd 2008

3. OMG He is so fine!!!

TT-P at 7:19PM on Oct 22nd 2008

4. Sorry, but you SHOULD pay more taxes. I get sick and tired of ultra wealthy people believing that they "work harder and smarter." No you don't. You sit at a desk and push pencils. Whereas ambulance drivers make barely above minumum wage and STILL pay taxes. These are the people charged with saving lives...Nothing some guy at OPEC does is dire to a person on the verge of death. Yet, the OPEC CEO benefits from tax cuts while pocketing BILLIONS he or she will never spend.

It makes no sense that two percent of the goddamn country holds 98% of the wealth...While street sweepers can't even afford to pay their rent.

There is something seriously wrong with a first world nation having pockets of it's society dwelling in third world conditions.

strict communism is bad but being a stinking, dirty, fat, capitalist pig is WORSE.

Sorry, it is only common sense for those who make more money to pay more money.
If you are working minimum wage and your taxes are more than what you take home then how in the hell will you pay your rent? Meanwhile Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have money that they can LITERALLY burn and still be filthy stinkin rich.

Capitalist pigs repulse!

Sorry Obama is not advocating a socialist system...

On that note we already have socialized programs in America. It just shows how stupid some Americans are that we don't even see that.

FYI

Tyson Chandler is SEXY! My goodness!

Toddy at 9:25PM on Oct 22nd 2008

5. I agree with TT-P. He is fine, but that is either here nor there. I do not necessarily agree with the "upper class” having to pay a larger amount in taxes. If you have worked hard to gain a specific social status. You should enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, those in the "middle and lower" classes do need a break. A break. A chance. A silver lining is all some need to pay off that last credit card, re-build their credit, or pay for that college course. There are many that for one reason or another have dug themselves into a "debt hole". Even still given a FAIR chance to rebuild many will work hard and strive to advance and provide better lives for their families. A chance.

Quilan at 9:35AM on Oct 23rd 2008

6. The Bill Gates, Warren Buffets, the kennedys, the rothchilds are the reason we are in dire situations now. they are sitting on billions individualy, trillions collectively. The should should spread the wealth, not through just charity, but through interest free loans, paying off students school loans, etc. They dont give away pennies of there wealth, they give away pennies of their interest earned. Think about it! Why do you need, as an individual, twenty-billion dollars? What is your plan? Dont get me wrong, they have earned their money but what I am saying is how much do you really need? When does it get rediculous? Spread the love.

KidAlchemy at 10:25AM on Oct 23rd 2008

7. Since the wealthy own about 84% of our nation's wealth while everyone else only accounts for the remaining 16% it would make sense for the wealthy to have higher taxes. If you make more than $200,000 or $250,000 a year having to pay more taxes isn't going to make you re-think if it's really worth buying that steak for dinner. If those already struggling to make ends meet have their taxes increased the economy will continue to deteriorate. I understand the concept of having equal taxes for all but it really does not benefit our country's economy if we were to do that at this time. Just because someone is rich does not mean that that individual works harder or is even smarter. It all depends on what you do for a living. There are a plethora of jobs (chemist, aircraft engineer,teacher) where you need to be intelligent but do not necessarily get paid a quarter of a million a year. Quite frankly you can being a model or actress (Paris Hilton) but that does not mean you are educated, particularly to those that inherit their wealth. I think the real questions are what are persons morals, do persons really care about this country's financial status or are they too concerned with their own greed. If you are wealthy and have a problem with paying more taxes because possibly in the future you won't be getting a tax break then maybe you should go live somewhere else.

Anne at 10:59AM on Oct 23rd 2008

8. You know i like to think that most people have common sense if nothing else.Look small business people your gonna get a better deal then you have ever had in the past eight years if you stop being a biggot you all talk about faith and GOD don't you know when the creator is doing something you can not change it. That why it is called a change.OBama becoming president has nothing to do with any of the things everyday people are worried about besides it is a sin to worry you would know that by walking in faith and not by sight. The whole american public been walking around like they can not see.No body won anything but the bushes. Even the wealthy is being hit hard with the bush bs. See it goes like this all poor people will survive there already used to being poor all wealthy will stress the heck out because being poor scares the hell out of them and i mean that literally that's when satan kicks it up a notch. Then hings like what Mccain and Palin are doing to try and make there selfs look good. Any race in america knows white wealthy people want it to stay that way and if they have to kill your mama their mama to keep that way they will. History tells that story. When the creator is doing something you have to sit back and let him guide the path and you go for ride smile relax and be proud you can be a passenger riding in his vehicle. Otherwise you miss the spirtual feelig that is much better then anything going on in this world. I was at the arch for Obama, history being made and the spirtual feeling went threw all who know GOD was just amazing. You know all the overwhelming voting that is taking place surely is for GOD not MCcain or bush bs it is what it is. Deal with it. Obama is going to be president regardless it is what it is a change GOD is greater then any man. i just say relax i am riding do you need one.
People all of faith Just go vote turn off your tv's be patient this will be over in a minute. The ballot has already been voted on no have a blessed day I plan to.

cassandra at 11:34AM on Oct 23rd 2008

9. I dont think anyone actually wants to pay more taxes (or any taxes for that matter). But when you see someone who makes $40-50K/year, working 50+ hours per week get NO tax refund because he/she worked two jobs, and has no tax shelters, and you see filthy rich corp execs get $700 grand in lower taxes, and some pay absolutely no federal income tax at all because they have fancy accountants to create hundreds of tax shelters for them, we realize that there must be some way for the fed to get some of the money off the top from their incomes.

The rich will always find a way to pay lower EFFECTIVE tax %ages than the working & middle class anyway, so the whining speaks more to "greed" than need".

The only thing I'm wary of is how an Obama tax structure would affect a small business whose revenue is above $250K, but net income isn't...it would probably just force more businesses to incorporate.

nyc teacherman at 11:50AM on Oct 23rd 2008

10. A couple of points:

1. Obama's plan only impacts small business with "income" over 250k, not revenues. For example - Joe the Plummer, in his industry, he would have to have at least 1M in revenues (due to overhead costs/expenses) to have $250k income and be impacted. That's one reason the Joe argument by McCain is crap.

2. Wealthy folks have no responsibility or obligation to "give" their money away. Its their perogative to do so as they see fit, just like everyone else.

3. With this argument, so many folks like Todd above, go to the extreme when you talk about giving tax breaks. Working hard and making more money does not go hand in hand, for example teachers. Teachers are the backbone of our society and they are among the lowest paid. Tax cuts are designed for them. I am fortunate enough to make a very good salary, along with that I enjoy huge tax credits and exemptions. Todd, you refer to a flat tax, sounds good, but will never happen. Lawmakers will be greatly impacted, many of them have effective tax rate below 18%.

just my 2 cents.

Rodney at 12:24PM on Oct 23rd 2008

11. I THINK THAT THE WEALTHY SHOULD PAY HIGHER TAXES FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS BEING THAT THE MIDDLE CLASS MAKES THE WEALTHY THE WAY THAT THEY ARE

SMITH at 4:13PM on Oct 23rd 2008

12. and another things, YES INDEED TYSON IS YUMMY!!!

Cooki at 7:14PM on Oct 23rd 2008

13. Why should rich people get a tax break? You can afford to pay the same taxes that my middle-class azz has been struggling with for years. It's us single middle class people who pay for everyones breaks. My bonus is taxed 52%!!! So using the famous words of Mr. T. to you so called fools who proclaim that your harder and smarter and paying for someone elses child, "Quit your Jibba Jabba you Crazy fools!"

Cooki at 7:14PM on Oct 23rd 2008

14. Come on now, under Obama's new tax plan, if you make $250K or more, at a rate of $250K, you would only be paying an additional $3K! Oh yeah, that's really going to break you making a quarter of a million dollars and having to pay an additional three thousand dollars. McCain got you dummies who don't understand taxes shaking in your boots. Fear tactics...just like Bush.

Cooki at 7:19PM on Oct 23rd 2008

15. This is so silly.The ones complaining about a tax increase are probably not in the tax bracket Obama is talking about.In his plan over 90% of americans will receive a tax break.That's why certain groups has more wealth than blacks because they don't jump ship on their own people trying to assimilate.You should see what happen to Colin Powell when the truck backed up.Who was kicked off first?It's time to think people.If you are a conservative the only thing you have to conserve is slavery and oppression.Don't prove Willie Lynch right!

Rodney C. Pittman at 9:27AM on Oct 24th 2008