The problems with income and consumption based taxes include:
* Double taxation (which side is taxed, both?)
* Inequality / Regressive (generic taxes target the poor/middle)
* 'sitting on capitol' isn't taxed
A good fresh start is probably necessary.
* Taxes exist to fund the public good.
* Taxes should target undesired (by the community) behavior
* Incentives should target desired behavior
* You are what you measure and how you react (punish/reward)
With the above in mind, I am entirely for two types of taxes.
Income: A maximum income target and a 'minimum' income target. These two numbers would be plugged in to a single non-linear formula that applies to all. The more someone makes, the more they're taxed (they would always take home more, but for every dollar over they'd take home less of that dollar). B.I.G. could be built in to this formula as a third number (mostly raising the floor); but to me the minimum number already sounds like it is this number.
Wealth: Some savings is a good idea. Having a year or two of runway (disaster preparedness). Saving to move in to a house. Investing* in active things (stocks/bonds/etc) for retirement. Owning your own means of production / transportation / housing (within reason).
Wealth is more static, when wealth suddenly shows up it should be taxed as income. When it's held over time it should be taxed at a much lower rate, but still taxed (every period, IE year). Society should agree on a divisor that is fair, and how much different types of wealth are discounted. 'wealth' (divided down) would thus be figured in to the total tax liability on the compound curve I described in the income section.
Income: A maximum income target and a 'minimum' income target. These two numbers would be plugged in to a single non-linear formula that applies to all. The more someone makes, the more they're taxed (they would always take home more, but for every dollar over they'd take home less of that dollar). B.I.G. could be built in to this formula as a third number (mostly raising the floor); but to me the minimum number already sounds like it is this number.
Wealth: Some savings is a good idea. Having a year or two of runway (disaster preparedness). Saving to move in to a house. Investing* in active things (stocks/bonds/etc) for retirement. Owning your own means of production / transportation / housing (within reason).
Wealth is more static, when wealth suddenly shows up it should be taxed as income. When it's held over time it should be taxed at a much lower rate, but still taxed (every period, IE year). Society should agree on a divisor that is fair, and how much different types of wealth are discounted. 'wealth' (divided down) would thus be figured in to the total tax liability on the compound curve I described in the income section.