NZ is deeply lefty. Those nasty right wingers ought to pay more taxes! is the general consensus. No one likes to think about the serious things which are most important.

The majority see the rich as being lazy,pompous and basically evil. I dont care for their extravangances,they are generally being productive for the country.

To me the ultimate aim is to have a productive country. I dont see that happening with extreme left governments.

Don't be too hasty to judge this discussion as nasty or non-informative.

Often these topics are quite heated,is the nature of it.

We have progressive tax here too,with the top rate of ~33% at 69,000$ which has been unchanged for years- so the gov gets more and more revenue

You know how data can be manipulated to seem to say something other than the truth and that is what the simplistic explanations of tax payments does
I know it certainly can be. An absence of important data is the first thing that comes to mind.

So the wealthier amongst us hide their income by accepting it in stock transfers which are taxed at a much lower rate.
If the tax rates were lowered the revenue would increase due to less avoiding tax through 'tax benefits' yes? I would say that is fair,I might do the same. What tax rate would I accept?I dont know,im a student with thousands of dollars of debt

Here in NZ labour offered 'tax relief' with money being given back to the lower incomes,while national offered tax cuts for the majority of people.

The 'rich should pay more taxes' line doesnt work with me,I think the curve[plank curve?]where eventually taxes are so high revenue decreases is true.

There isnt much incentive to work here.Its getting more socialist but people like it.

Its funny,my mums family are all lefties,my dads family are righties,guess which family is low or high income!

And don't be too hasty to judge how the workingman is treated concerning taxes
Well I know the majority are earning minimum wage -> 1.5 x minimum wage so a small relief in taxes makes a huge difference down there - but then we are aweful savers - Just recently weve been told to quit borrowing for stuff,inflation is nearing 3% now.
Were spendign 12% more than we own everyear apparently.

My dad was researching a monetary system NOT based on debt...

Regards
Mike.e