If you could raise taxes on only ONE of the following... ? (unemployment, gallon)

[ragnarkar]

... what would it be? Assume the expected revenues from raising the tax is equal among all the choices.

[case44]

You didn't include tobacco. I would. Even though I am vehemently against raising taxes, the aforementioned would be the only thing I'd tax, and through the roof. After all, people need to quit smoking.

[geofra]

Raise all taxes together with a cut in all spending. We deserve that.

[Majin]

250k+, investments, dividends, inheritances

[noexcuseforignorance]

Dumb thread. Why "Income (all income levels)"? Also, why gasoline and not diesel or energy in general. Nice idea but flawed execution. Maybe the OP can fix it.

[clb10]

Why not try to cut the massive bloated government and sell unused or wasted assets BEFORE burying Americans with yet more taxes?


Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
Capital Gains Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Court Fines (indirect taxes)
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax Interest expense (tax on the money)
Inventory tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Local Income Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Septic Permit Tax
Service Charge Taxes
Agricultural State Excise Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Taxes (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Road Toll Booth Taxes
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and
local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone state and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Toll Bridge Taxes
Toll Tunnel Taxes
Traffic Fines (indirect taxation)
Trailer Registration Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax


Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world, had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world and only one parent had to work to support the family.

What happened?

[pvande55]

Clb10, you missed a few.

Professional License Tax
Privilege Tax
Transit fare tax
Airline ticket tax
Airline fuel surcharge tax
Vending machine tax
Amusement tax
Personal Seat license tax

And we are probably both scratching the surface.