jennyjennydz
Mar 19, 2004, 04:44 PM
I would be very interested in an intelligent discussion of the ideas folks here have for and against a Sally Struthers Tax.
Basic tax: The government should act to eliminate child poverty in the US by enacting a flat "Sally Struthers Tax" of $1.00 per day (approx) on every American over 150% of the poverty line. This tax would be used exclusively to ensure that every child in the US is suitably housed, clothed, fed, and medically cared for.
--
Within 10 miles of most homes in the U.S. a child is going hungry.
--
Premise: Children are not to blame for their own poverty.
I believe that children cannot be held responsible for their own poverty. Different people may choose to blame society, the government, the market, their parent(s), or any other of a list of options. But I believe that it is unreasonable and ethically unacceptable to blame the children themselves.
Children are unable to choose their situation at birth. They didn't have the option in utero to select better parents, with better jobs and living in better neighborhoods. They could not choose, yet they suffer the consequences of those realities.
Children are unable to support themselves. Children do not have the means by which to support themselves financially independent of their families. I think we'll all pass on the sacarastic argument of "put 'em to work at 8" and realize that child labor laws are in place for good reason. They cannot by their own actions reverse the consequences of their own poverty.
Given that they didn't chose to be poor or to remain poor, I believe that they cannot be held responsible for the fact that they are poor.
--
Within 10 miles of most restaurants in this country a child is going to bed hungry.
--
Premise: The governement has a duty to protect and provide aid to those in society who cannot themselves.
A simplified premise used to justify everything from public schools to social security to fire and police services to the military itself. Why have police? Why not let the rich people hire private security and everyone cross their fingers? Governement has obligations, that's why. And providing for the welfare and security of its citizens is the whole point I thought.
If the government has a duty, and a need exists, the government must act. A Sally Struthers Tax would provide the closest guarantee fulfilling the duty and meeting the need.
--
Approximately 75,000 children will go to sleep tonight in poverty - lacking the basic food, clothes, housing and medical care needed to live a healthy life in the pursuit of happiness.
--
For $1.00 per day (approx) per working American making more than 150% of the current poverty level, The US governement could afford to spend over $1000 per child in poverty per month. Anyone who has ever paid their own bills can personally confirm that basic needs can be met with less than this.
For the cost of 1 iTunes download per day every child in this country could be removed from poverty.
For the less than the cost of most cups of coffee no child in this country would have to go to sleep hungry.
For less than the cost of a bus ride every child would be able to sleep in a bed with a roof over their head.
For less than the cost of a visit to McDonald's every child in this country would have access to the medical care they need to grow into happy and productive citizens.
As Americans we have found it in our heart and wallets to have EVERY American taxpayer send an average of $445 per year to the country receiving the largest amount of US foregin aid as well as hundred per year to others. Why not spend another $365 on our own children or if you prefer, why not spend $365 of that on our own children?
--
Tonight, look at your dinner. Realize that within a few miles of most people America some child is lucky to be eating a few ketchup packets.
--
--
Next time you or someone you know rails against abortion or Gays or the Ten Comandments in some courtroom or the pledge of allegiance or prayer in school, ask them or youselves if they would support this tax as an act of Christian charity, the kind Jesus spent most of his life promoting.
--
peace
edit: i can splel
Basic tax: The government should act to eliminate child poverty in the US by enacting a flat "Sally Struthers Tax" of $1.00 per day (approx) on every American over 150% of the poverty line. This tax would be used exclusively to ensure that every child in the US is suitably housed, clothed, fed, and medically cared for.
--
Within 10 miles of most homes in the U.S. a child is going hungry.
--
Premise: Children are not to blame for their own poverty.
I believe that children cannot be held responsible for their own poverty. Different people may choose to blame society, the government, the market, their parent(s), or any other of a list of options. But I believe that it is unreasonable and ethically unacceptable to blame the children themselves.
Children are unable to choose their situation at birth. They didn't have the option in utero to select better parents, with better jobs and living in better neighborhoods. They could not choose, yet they suffer the consequences of those realities.
Children are unable to support themselves. Children do not have the means by which to support themselves financially independent of their families. I think we'll all pass on the sacarastic argument of "put 'em to work at 8" and realize that child labor laws are in place for good reason. They cannot by their own actions reverse the consequences of their own poverty.
Given that they didn't chose to be poor or to remain poor, I believe that they cannot be held responsible for the fact that they are poor.
--
Within 10 miles of most restaurants in this country a child is going to bed hungry.
--
Premise: The governement has a duty to protect and provide aid to those in society who cannot themselves.
A simplified premise used to justify everything from public schools to social security to fire and police services to the military itself. Why have police? Why not let the rich people hire private security and everyone cross their fingers? Governement has obligations, that's why. And providing for the welfare and security of its citizens is the whole point I thought.
If the government has a duty, and a need exists, the government must act. A Sally Struthers Tax would provide the closest guarantee fulfilling the duty and meeting the need.
--
Approximately 75,000 children will go to sleep tonight in poverty - lacking the basic food, clothes, housing and medical care needed to live a healthy life in the pursuit of happiness.
--
For $1.00 per day (approx) per working American making more than 150% of the current poverty level, The US governement could afford to spend over $1000 per child in poverty per month. Anyone who has ever paid their own bills can personally confirm that basic needs can be met with less than this.
For the cost of 1 iTunes download per day every child in this country could be removed from poverty.
For the less than the cost of most cups of coffee no child in this country would have to go to sleep hungry.
For less than the cost of a bus ride every child would be able to sleep in a bed with a roof over their head.
For less than the cost of a visit to McDonald's every child in this country would have access to the medical care they need to grow into happy and productive citizens.
As Americans we have found it in our heart and wallets to have EVERY American taxpayer send an average of $445 per year to the country receiving the largest amount of US foregin aid as well as hundred per year to others. Why not spend another $365 on our own children or if you prefer, why not spend $365 of that on our own children?
--
Tonight, look at your dinner. Realize that within a few miles of most people America some child is lucky to be eating a few ketchup packets.
--
--
Next time you or someone you know rails against abortion or Gays or the Ten Comandments in some courtroom or the pledge of allegiance or prayer in school, ask them or youselves if they would support this tax as an act of Christian charity, the kind Jesus spent most of his life promoting.
--
peace
edit: i can splel
