Why are we talking about marginal tax rates?

[dansolo]

Let's be realistic, increasing the top marginal tax rate isn't really going to make that big of a difference. Why isn't the talk about capital gains tax rates, which are rediculously low? Why should labor be taxed at a much higher rate than capital gains? Or what about a small financial transaction tax, which could also have the added benefit of reducing market manipulation and volatility? It just seems to me that focusing solely on the marginal tax rate is not really a solution to the real problems of inequity, and is merely a simplistic talking point meant to rile up the base.

[rampartc]

1. a financial transaction tax of less than 1% would pay the national debt

in very short order. the banksters whined heavily when bernie suggested this a few years ago.

https://www.npr.org/2016/02/12/466465333/sanders-favors-a-speculation-tax-on-big-wall-street-firms-what-is-that

[dansolo]

5. Bernie isn't the first person who suggested this idea

I really hate it when people try to give Bernie credit for ideas that existed long before he mentions them

[brooklynite]

2. Why are we talking about it? Because it's what AOC proposed.

[Cicada]

3. 72 billion per year from 16,000 people

It makes little difference to the rich. And 72 billion per year can help many. And we can increase capital gains rates too.

[Liberal In Texas]

4. We can do both.

[dansolo]

6. That is my point

I'd like to see a rational discussion on all our tax policies. Talking about just the marginal tax rate seems too simplistic.