I'm not sure how all the numbers are actually calculated but not only are the top 10% paying 70%, the top 1% are paying nearly 40%, so yes, the rich are paying a pretty fair share. Mind you, the bottom 50% ( after reflecting the refundable Earned Income Tax credit) are paying near 0%. Dick, is right our taxes compared to other countries is low but I believe our system is, in fact, the most progreesive in the western world.
Agree, Dick. I would add a couple thoughts. Temporarily there would be a surge in federal revenue as folks took advantage of this. I would make sure that the new revenue HAD to be ear marked for deficit reductuion only ( or perhaps shoring up trust funds for Soc Sec/Medicare). Without doing this congress will just spend the new revenue like they always do.
As to the bigger picture, let's face it, this country needs more revenue. I've said to friends that I would be willing to pay more in taxes IF we had some sort of balanced budget mechanism to control spending. Without that, I refuse to pay more in taxes as study after study shows congress has a propensity to spend something like $1.35 for every new dollar they collect.
Dan, I will be happy to share the logic. It's 435 members of congress who each has his/her own idea of what is best for you....or just likes to grandstand.
Good article, Adam. I agree wholeheartedly but would add one thing. We still need for a lot of people to buy individual stocks for purposes of finding the right price of the stock. Funds/ETFs rely on having the stocks they are holding priced correctly if there is to be true valkue there.
Sorry, but this is an unrelated comment and perhaps one of the regulars could respond. I get the Humble email on Saturday morning and I see that the articles have been posted earlier as comments are already a day or two old. Seems like it's too late to join in by Saturday morning and I was wondering if the email notice could be timed to the day the articles first appear? Or, do I just need to login on such days? Thanks
As Richard said the trust fund is no longer buying treasury bonds....only cashing them in. In fact, about $80 billion per year is being cashed in now to pay promised benefits. The bad news is that treasury has to sell $80 billion in new bonds to pay off those being cashed in by the trust fund.
Adam, I'd be interested in knowing the returns AFTER taxes and fees. Is it the typical hedgefund fee structure? Is he passing a lot of capital gains on to his shareholders? This info would be helpful. Thanks
Dick, I've been confused on the healthcare "cuts":. Can you be more specific on what is being cut? I thought the only cut involved having to work 80 hours a month or volunteering 80 hours a month to keep benefits. I further heard a congressman state that $20 billion was earmarked for rural hospitals as an extra. Perhaps slowing the rate of increase is the issue....but we're still spending more. Thanks in advance for your response.
Comments
I'm not sure how all the numbers are actually calculated but not only are the top 10% paying 70%, the top 1% are paying nearly 40%, so yes, the rich are paying a pretty fair share. Mind you, the bottom 50% ( after reflecting the refundable Earned Income Tax credit) are paying near 0%. Dick, is right our taxes compared to other countries is low but I believe our system is, in fact, the most progreesive in the western world.
Post: Billionaires, taxes and you
Link to comment from May 30, 2026
Agree, Dick. I would add a couple thoughts. Temporarily there would be a surge in federal revenue as folks took advantage of this. I would make sure that the new revenue HAD to be ear marked for deficit reductuion only ( or perhaps shoring up trust funds for Soc Sec/Medicare). Without doing this congress will just spend the new revenue like they always do. As to the bigger picture, let's face it, this country needs more revenue. I've said to friends that I would be willing to pay more in taxes IF we had some sort of balanced budget mechanism to control spending. Without that, I refuse to pay more in taxes as study after study shows congress has a propensity to spend something like $1.35 for every new dollar they collect.
Post: Should Retirees Get a Temporary Flat Tax Window on IRA and 401(k) Withdrawals?
Link to comment from May 23, 2026
Dan, I will be happy to share the logic. It's 435 members of congress who each has his/her own idea of what is best for you....or just likes to grandstand.
Post: Time to scrap IRAs, 401k, 403b and all the rest
Link to comment from May 23, 2026
And a lifetime COLA on the benefit once started.
Post: Is saving really that hard? Nope, not for the great majority of Americans.
Link to comment from May 2, 2026
Good article, Adam. I agree wholeheartedly but would add one thing. We still need for a lot of people to buy individual stocks for purposes of finding the right price of the stock. Funds/ETFs rely on having the stocks they are holding priced correctly if there is to be true valkue there.
Post: Wall Street Trap
Link to comment from May 2, 2026
Sorry, but this is an unrelated comment and perhaps one of the regulars could respond. I get the Humble email on Saturday morning and I see that the articles have been posted earlier as comments are already a day or two old. Seems like it's too late to join in by Saturday morning and I was wondering if the email notice could be timed to the day the articles first appear? Or, do I just need to login on such days? Thanks
Post: Navigating a Turbulent Career
Link to comment from April 18, 2026
I plan to stick with the tips I get from thye shoe shine boy.
Post: The Playground Indicator
Link to comment from January 31, 2026
As Richard said the trust fund is no longer buying treasury bonds....only cashing them in. In fact, about $80 billion per year is being cashed in now to pay promised benefits. The bad news is that treasury has to sell $80 billion in new bonds to pay off those being cashed in by the trust fund.
Post: Plan for a Pay Cut
Link to comment from December 27, 2025
Adam, I'd be interested in knowing the returns AFTER taxes and fees. Is it the typical hedgefund fee structure? Is he passing a lot of capital gains on to his shareholders? This info would be helpful. Thanks
Post: How to Beat the Market
Link to comment from August 23, 2025
Dick, I've been confused on the healthcare "cuts":. Can you be more specific on what is being cut? I thought the only cut involved having to work 80 hours a month or volunteering 80 hours a month to keep benefits. I further heard a congressman state that $20 billion was earmarked for rural hospitals as an extra. Perhaps slowing the rate of increase is the issue....but we're still spending more. Thanks in advance for your response.
Post: One Big Beautiful Act: Tax Breakdown and Planning Strategies
Link to comment from August 16, 2025