How is this for a fairer income tax: exempt all individual incomes up to the national median; eliminate all other exemptions and deductions; above the exempt amount impose an increasing rate of taxation on higher ranges of income, the rates and ranges set in order to achieve a balanced budget. This will untax income earned producing goods and services and shift the "burden" of taxation to income derived from special privileges under the law.
Madison's concerns were certainly real. What no President has been able to publicly champion is freedom FROM religion. Religious organizations ought at a minimum pay an annual fee to the local government equal to the rental value of whatever land the organization holds. This would compensate the entire community for the cost of public services the religious organization benefits from.
How is this for a fairer income tax: exempt all individual incomes up to the national median; eliminate all other exemptions and deductions; above the exempt amount impose an increasing rate of taxation on higher ranges of income, the rates and ranges set in order to achieve a balanced budget. This will untax income earned producing goods and services and shift the "burden" of taxation to income derived from special privileges under the law.
Madison's concerns were certainly real. What no President has been able to publicly champion is freedom FROM religion. Religious organizations ought at a minimum pay an annual fee to the local government equal to the rental value of whatever land the organization holds. This would compensate the entire community for the cost of public services the religious organization benefits from.