Originally Posted by
cparekh
As someone who teaches public economics at the graduate level, I am astounded that many on this board are more thoughtful about the nuances of our income tax system than top-level graduate student who go on to design parts of this system.
As someone who used to teach university level accounting, I always told my students that taxes are not meant to be fair or logical. They are meant to raise revenue. That seemed to explain most everything.
[Omni] The key thing to remember about taxes is their origin. The first people to be taxed were peasant farmers. They tilled the fields, planted the crops, tended the crops, hauled water in buckets when necessary, weeded, harvested, threshed, etc. Finally, when they were done, 5 big guys with swords rode up and took half the crop, threatening dire consequences if interfered with. While it may seem that we have come a long way from that, some year try filling out your income tax return, but instead of a big check include a note saying that you're a bit short right now, but will get back to them when your situation improves.
Hell hath no fury like a taxing authority scorned. [/Omni]