Innovation Meets Taxation

Innovation Meets Taxation

With many cities and states needing more taxes to pay for unfunded liabilities and other pressing obligations, they are innovating new taxes to raise more money. Some possibilities

The Exit Tax. For those choosing to leave the state because of high taxes, many states will propose an exit tax of 20% of their wealth. Called final expenses, it will not be called a tax per se, but a service fee.*
Virtual Wealth Tax. For those with credit cards not charged to the limit, they have a virtual wealth obtainable by spending to that limit. Some states are proposing a 23% tax on the difference between the credit card limit and the balance. The neat thing about this tax is that it will be automatically charged to the credit card.
The Homeless Tax. Now nearly in operation in Seattle, this flat tax of $275/employee will be charged to businesses to help with the expenses of housing, feeding, and medical care for the homeless. Naturally, this tax will be increased or extended to the people as more homeless move to the location. Free stuff is a powerful magnet for many.
Citizen’s Gas Tax. In addition to standard fuel taxes, each automobile will have a serial number to be read at the gas pump. Any purchases of gasoline exceeding 15 gallons per week will be charged an additional tax one dollar per gallon.
Public Facility Tax. Using software similar to the “no cash register” shops, citizens will be automatically charged (to a credit card) one dollar for visits to public facilities such as parks, zoos (plus regular cost), even public restrooms. The homeless and illegal aliens are exempt.
The McDonald’s Reparations Tax. Everyone who has worked at a McDonalds was exploited by the chain. Therefore, a tax on all current McDonald’s customers of one dollar per visit should be accessed to help pay reparations to those exploited in previous years.

*Naturally, the Exit Tax will be adjusted to levels it becomes more economical to stay local than leave despite and including all the other taxes.

Behavioral Science and Problem-Solving

I. I. Introduction. Concerning our general behavior, it’s high about time we all had some understanding of how we operate on ourselves, and it is just as important how we are operated on by others. This is the wheelhouse of behavioral sciences. It is a vast subject. It touches our lives constantly. It’s influence is pervasive and can be so subtle we never notice it. Behavioral sciences profoundly affect our ability and success at problem-solving, from the elementary level to highly complex wicked problems. This is discussed in Section IV. We begin with the basics of behavioral sciences, Section II, and then through the lens of multiple categories and examples, Section III. II. ...

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

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Mediocrity

Once of the worst things that can happen to a young person is to be told their mediocre performance is good. For me, I was told the opposite, that my efforts would end me in failure. That was a spur that dug in deep. I would prove him wrong. And I did. Do not praise mediocrity, no matter how much it makes you feel good or your target.

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