The White House lied about its IRS funding | Reason Roundtable | April 8, 2024

[@rdoubled1384]

I'm disappointed that the crew didn't even get into the question, why does the IRS basically force us to buy tax software rather than offering/providing a tax filing app of its own like every other government agency? End the collusion between the government and tax software companies!

[@anall3l3]

That's the least of your problems, you're still getting screwed by the IRS.

[@rdoubled1384]

@@anall3l3 Yes, but issues like this should help people who don't realize this to be be more upset and vocal as it's impossible to deny and argue with.

[@anall3l3]

I see your point.

[@jfangm]

How about we end compulsory taxation? Problem solved.

[@anall3l3]

@@jfangm Even better!

[@donnalangiewicz1084]

I paid my taxes for 2022 and now it took him a year to send me a notice telling me that I didn't pay and they've added extra charges tell me they're not a corrupt organization

[@TheWhitehiker]

More interesting is to stand in a wide space and watch the shadow eclipse come in across the wide landscape. Also to observe animal behavior when it happens.

[@cooper729]

I remember all summer and a day, and I always also think about that each time an eclipse happens

[@scottsch43]

Matt, if you're so fond of Mr. Havel, frame him!

[@macsnafu]

While I admit that Georgism may give you a new perspective on taxation, it's also based on some fallacies, like the idea that undeveloped land is worth anything, and ignores the subjectivity of valuation altogether. Yes, I remember reading All Summer In a Day. It IS a great story. But I'll be darned if I remember where I read it. It could have been in a Bradbury short story collection, but somehow I think it was required reading for some English textbook or other. I can't remember for sure. I had heard that Iain Banks was rather libertarian in his writing, but hadn't heard about him talking against libertarians. In any case, I did read a book in the Culture series, but I didn't get too excited about it. I'll have to try another book.

[@nicedream92]

You guys are simultaneously saying that the US should be less involved in Israel/Gaza, yet we should continue sending the IDF weapons shipments - unconditionally - to use for war crimes because they’re our ally in geopolitics?

[@Kazekoge101]

Their part of the beltway establishment "Libertarian" Inc. same thing with the L.P. unfortunately

[@nicedream92]

@@Kazekoge101 The LP's potential nominee (if all goes well, imo) is Chase Oliver, who is good on this issue

[@maplifiers]

Yup, ridiculous.

[@jfangm]

What war crimes? Collateral damage is not a war crime.

[@Lopfff]

52:30 Holy shit I remember seeing a show on HBO based on this story when I was a kid. Have always wondered what the story was. Thank you KMW!

[@jesserobinson20]

So when are the government officials who lied going to face consequences? Hahahaha, I'll see my way out.

[@jeff-hh9mc]

You got it never.

[@johnhyatt4905]

All summer in a day. One of my favorites. 😊

[@micahkilpatrick9924]

If I were a rich man. Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum. The I. R. S. would (edit) me in the bum, if I were a wealthy man.

[@andrewkerr5296]

Does the IRS like Australia's version (ATO) do not & or can not define 'Income'?

[@DiscoDashco]

In the USA, there are guidelines that determines what counts as earned income, and that will [help] determine what an individual will owe, or be refunded respectively. Moreover, this is a reason why the American IRS doesn’t just “tell you how much you owe for you if they ‘already know’”. Because that right there is a recipe for mass discord; folks would surely complain of conspiracy, implying some pervasive goal of governmental extortion, so that’s why individuals are expected to do their own taxes. The government doesn’t know when, where, and how individuals earn all their money within a FY, so it is up to the individual to provide that sort of information themselves. This is one of those really popular rhetorical questions that many Americans love to joke about, but it just comes off as dumb, shortsighted, or just plain ignorant if the time and diligence is put in to actually figure out why or why not this is.

[@andrewkerr5296]

@@DiscoDashco Her der I said 'Define' Australia does the same, but as I said has NO definition

[@Coldend]

@ReasonTV c/o Katherine Mangu-Ward - If your memory of that Ray Bradbury story is indeed a hallucination, please take consolation in the fact that my grade school was distributing the same hallucinogens as yours. Barely 4 pages long, but genius, and it's always stuck with me. Thank you for the reverie.

[@jimbo9305]

I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. What's more egregious is that they set aside $80 billion for hiring people, when that money could go a long way to modernize their operations.

[@AtaraxiaaixaratA]

What treaty do we have with Israel Nick?

[@damionfragoso2655]

The biggest problem is anybody between $200,000 and a million dollars. Could very possibly be a small business owner because they're claiming it on their personal taxes and have an incorporated

[@DiscoDashco]

Well, consider the fact that if anyone suggested more, specialized and nuanced tax brackets (for the strategic goal of reducing unnecessary taxes for the lower earners closer to $200k versus millionaires) would predictably be criticized by fiscal conservatives as “overreaching” exclusively on the idea that “more” of anything on behalf of government is abject evil. This remains a source of opportunity for those with greater wealth, and remains a point of contention for those who make less within such a large range of income.

[@2Oldcoots]

Flat Tax as a subject for the program?

[@jeff-hh9mc]

I’m against it. Huge fan of the negative income tax via Milton Friedman.

[@Nemerson74]

1:03:46 lol

[@brianshea4177]

I recommended reading a former Trotsky inspired atheist who ended up as a Catholic philosopher, Alasdair MacIntyre. Start w After Virtue, then Whose Justice?, Which Rationality? He remains a profound critic of Modern Liberalism and ideas of the self. Charles Taylor (another Catholic) wrote the great Sources of the Self.