A flat tax is advertised as the “freedom tax,” in which everyone pays taxes at a fixed marginal rate—such as 10%. Salaried workers pay by withholding from each paycheck, and never have to submit a tax return. It sounds good because it’s simple, but is it good? Continue reading
Blog Posts and Writings Tagged: feedback
Blog 120. Whimsical growth
A kindly subscriber heard me telling this tale, and suggested the following outrageous story be offered for public amusement here. What happens if something doubles every day? Continue reading
Blog 67. Evolution versus Revolution
A friend gently suggested that the American disparity in income and opportunity could be resolved by a socialist revolution. Continue reading
Blog 43. Making molehills or mountains
From small molehills, big mountains grow. Sometimes. If the feedback is positive, that is—if the mole is rewarded with more food just for digging that molehill, and if his children are likewise rewarded. We’re not moles eating carrots, so how does this relate to us? Continue reading
Blog 32. McCutcheon, the Supreme Court, and Feedback
The lawsuit
A year ago, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit brought by an Alabama businessman Shaun McCutcheon and the Republican National Committee (RNC). McCutcheon, who owns a firm that develops coal mining and electrical generation, appealed to the Supreme Court, claiming that the Federal Election Campaign Act (FERC) restricted freedom of speech. That law limits the total contributions to political candidates, PACs, and party committees by individual persons. On October 8, 2013, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments. Continue reading