If you had to pick a flat federal tax rate...

[A18]

What would you pick?

You can set any threshold you want.

[A18]

Well, that's basically what I meant by threshold.

A certain amount could be exempt (first $20,000 or $35,000 etc.).

[A18]

70% with a $60,000 individual exemption and an $80,000 exemption for family of four.

You are insane.

No, this would be the best way I could think of to approximate a reasonably progressive intent into a 'flat tax'.  It is my way of saying the flat tax is a silly idea.

No, it's the best way you could think of to approvimate an insane progressive intent into a flat tax in order to impoverish the American public, and ensure that no one gets rich.

[A18]

No one is going to get rich under your tax plan.

[A18]

Because most people would like to get rich, and would also prefer a decent economy.

[A18]

My parents were poor. Now they're rich.

If your tax system were in place, we'd be middle class.

[A18]

Because most people would like to get rich, and would also prefer a decent economy.

They're dreaming - the likelihood of a poor getting rich is exceedingly remote.  A more reasonable course of action would be to vote in 'Eurosocialism'.

Seems to me that you've made a hard left turn from capitalist, to democrat to socialist. May I ask what brought that about?

Nothing's really changed - I always thought capitalism was great for the upper class.  I always had a fairly marxist understanding of how the economy works.  However now I'm just making the point that the majority of people would be voting in their economic interest if they voted for some redistribution.

'Marxist' and 'understanding' probably shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

I don't know why libertarians are so reluctant to face the fact that Capitalism, while it works exceedingly well for the top few percent of the population (primarily the owners),  is not particularly helpful for the lower classes.  You can still prefer it, just be honest about its effects.

Yeah. That's why poor people in socialist countries have such better living conditions than in the United States.

[A18]

People love socialism. You know, that's why communist countries never let their own citizens leave.

[A18]

We got rich in the 90s, and got a lot richer in the 00s.