But you see the point, right? The discussion begins with the question of legal tax rate on startups and corps. When you redefine the terms such that we're talking about some statistical artifact, you're basically saying the tax system is too complex to talk about it terms of what it actually says. Which is basically saying that discussion on the effects of tax rates can't take place at all because there isn't such a thing as a "tax rate"

I can't argue with the fact that the tax code is so complex as to make discussion useless, but I would like to point out that discussion has to take place around something. And I wouldn't pick average dollars paid as that something -- seems like a silly number.

Where do we go from here? A detailed discussion on survey methodology? Cherry-picking authoritative sources? A discussion about how early-stage businesses lose a lot of money? Or how income can be deferred using various accounting techniques?

But you see, the meme has accomplished its goal: we are no longer talking about what the law says about what corporations should pay, which is the only high-level, simple concept that we have a chance to reach some conclusions about. After this its all just down-in-the-weeds, wonkish stuff.

So no thanks.