Finance Q&A

Income tax in Washington State?

Q. Income tax in Washington State? The alleged fact that Ron Sims is apparently pushing the idea that Washington State should have an income tax deserves an automatic NO VOTE for the office of Governor. Income tax in Washington State? No way - what an evil concept. The concept is revolting. Don't forget that income taxes create huge monsters, just look at the IRS. Also remember that the Second Plank of communists/socialists: A heavy progressive income tax on earnings… Limitation of private property through progressive taxation, heavy inheritance taxes, [truncated] etc. Frederick Engels, The Principles of Communism. Do we want to take Washington State down those roads? An income tax is a move in the wrong direction. "The power to tax is the power to destroy." Chief Justice John Marshall; McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819. An income tax only serves to punish hard work. Answer this: Do you have a fundamental "right" to be compensated for your labor either of the muscle or of the mind? If is not a right then what are you? A slave, a peon? I see an income tax as a direct tax on my work and labor. To tax one's labor reduces a natural person to that of a slave or peon. (Note: see 42 USC 1994). Is something that is a fundamental "right" taxable? (It is a general maxim of law that "rights" are not taxable, but privileges are.

A. -It's not alleged - it's part of Sims' platform. And I don't know how automatic it is, but it'll be his downfall for sure. -The concept is hardly "evil" - Washington is one of only 6 states with no income tax. That it is "revolting" to many is unquestionable. -Don't forget, you'd be able to deduct your state income tax from your federal income tax. -Progressive taxation has been the foundation of our taxation system since it's existed - hardly a "plank of communist/socialists", and by the way communists and socialists are different philosophies from one another anyway.