The third estate was a varied group of people. They included middle class bankers, lawyers, merchants and manufacturers. It also included doctors, journalists and professionals, but the majority of the third estate was made up of rural peasants and urban workers (the poorest) and urban unemployed. The third estate had few special privileges and had to pay the majority of the taxes (estimated 97% total taxes).
These inequalities, in addition to France's soaring national debt and the skyrocketing price of food, contributed to the revolution.
In America since 1913, we have had a progressive income tax - those who earn more pay the most. Back then, only incomes over $4,000 ($86,500 in 2010 dollars) were taxed (which applied to about 5% of the country).
During World War 2, the middle class really became included in the income tax in order to help pay for the huge price of the war.
But, the way our tax burden is distributed is much different than pre-revolutionary France. For instance, the lower class, or those who make less than $25-30,000 a year (for a family of four) pay about 5% of total tax amount collected every year by the IRS though they make up 15-20% of the population.
The American middle class makes up 60-70% of the population and pays around 45% of the total tax amount. The middle class earns between $30,000 - $200,000 / year.
The wealthiest 10% of Americans (those who earn over $200,000), because of our progressive tax system, pay about half of the amount collected by the IRS. That amount (50%), and in fact all of the amounts, have fluctuated depending upon the strength or weakness of the economy.
Currently, like France in 1789, our American government owes over $12 trillion to foreign investors and future payments to Social Security and Medicaid and Medicare.
1. Why do you think the French tax system was set up that way?
2. Do you think our current tax system is fair with the wealthiest Americans paying half of the tax amount collected every year? Why or why not?
3. What would you do to our tax system today to modify it? (For instance, do you think our government spends too much money on social services / the military / other stuff? Would you lower taxes (and forbid it to borrow any money unless in an emergency) to force the government to spend less? Or, what about a flat tax where everybody pays the same percentage/rate?) Why?
150 words minimum total (not 150 words per question). Due Monday, March 29.
49 comments:
1. I think the French tax system was set up that way because that way the rich families could stay rich and pure and the poor families would stay “in their place” in society.
2. I do not think our current tax system is fair because I think everyone needs to pull their fair share in society. The poor people most likely didn’t do what they were supposed to and they didn’t pull their work in school, so those people don’t have money. Either the rich people are very spoiled and got everything handed to them, or those rich people did their work in school, and got rewarded for it.
1. The French tax system was setup that way by the first estate most likely to try and make sure no people from the third estate could rise up and become rich and powerful. If the nobles did not do this, lower-class people would have the opportunity to save some money and be able to slowly rise up the class system.
2. Our tax system is fair as it is because if you are wealthy, the more majority of you’re money that goes to taxes will still probably be more than what middle-class people will make anyway, so they stay where they are without other things happening. However, lower-class people can save the majority of their money and make the right decisions to move up the social class into the middle-class or even wealthy status. The middle-class people are truly the only people that do not benefit from this system. For the most part, the middle-class people will stay in the middle-class.
Benjamin Sadler
2/26/10
Mr. Wickersham 4th
Blog #17 World Hist. & Geo.
1) I believe that the tax system of the French was set up the way it was set up because the people thought they could do whatever they wanted. The people from the higher classes such as the nobles and the clergy thought that since they have power they get to do what they want. They didn’t feel like paying as many taxes so they made the 3rd estate, or the rest of the population, pay for all most all of the taxes. This was completely unfair because it shouldn’t be up to them to determine how much others pay from just saying something.
2) I think that it is fair how our government runs our taxes. I think that the idea of how the wealthier people have to pay more taxes and the poorer people have to pay less makes sense. Since the people that make like $200,000 a year have more money to their name, they can afford to pay more of the taxes than the people who make $15,000 a year. I feel like our government has a very steady and good tax system.
3) If I had the choice to change the way our government ran our taxes, I don’t think I would change anything with it. I believe that it is fair and that the richer/wealthier should pay for than the middle or the poorer. I think that the way our government is set up is very steady and that changing something with it could make things go wrong. People wouldn’t be used to it and people would complain considering the fact that most people already don’t like our taxes.
Jenny 4th hour
1.I think the French tax system was set up that way because it was probably decided by those who had power. The First and Second Estates had power and privilege, so they could set up the tax system in the way that most benefitted them. The people of the Third Estate did not have a say in things and were uneducated so they could not do anything to stop the clergy and nobles. Because the nobles and clergy had the power to set the taxes up, they had the better end of the deal.
2.I think our tax system in America today with the wealthiest paying the most of the taxes every year is pretty fair. Those who make more money have money in abundance and can afford to pay more. The poor cannot afford to pay more taxes, so it makes sense that they should pay less.
3.I don’t think I would change anything about today’s tax system. It has been working well so far and seems fair. If we haven’t had to modify it by now, I don’t see any reason to change anything.
3. The only thing I would do to change our tax system is make the middle-class pay the least because they are the working class of America and they have already done enough work. They need to be able to have a chance to move up socially. Also the people making over 2 million a year, should pay probably 75% of their money to the government as tax.
Molly Sovran
3-26-10
4th
1. The French taxes were set up this way because their government was corrupt. They had an absolute monarchy government and the difference between the royalty and the peasants were huge. The royalty had nice colorful clothes, a large abundance of food, and the peasants had nothing. They would fight for bread. And since the higher officials who decided tax income, and who paid the most taxes were in the highest class, they decided to make it so the urban workers and peasants would pay the taxes.
2. I can honestly say in a way it is fair, but in a way it’s not fair. It is fair because they are making a lot of money, and so it is easier for the upper class to pay taxes and not be in financial ruins. It isn’t fair because they worked so hard to have a nice paying job so why would they have to help the middle and lower class to pay the majority of the taxes. So I’m a little undecided but if I had to choose, I would say it was fair, because they are helping out the rest of America, by saving them the burden of being in financial ruin.
3. I would give more people the opportunity to have jobs, so the upper class isn’t paying 50% of the taxes. The income wouldn’t be equal necessarily, but it would be fairer to the upper class, because they wouldn’t have to pay so much. I know they are able to pay it, but they shouldn’t have too.
Zach Boinais
1. I think that the French tax system was set up the way it was because the richer nobles and clergy didn’t want to pay taxes. So they took advantage of the poor 3rd estate. The rich also wanted to keep the poor people poor, because that way they could extort their money from the large sum of tax money.
2. I think it is fair for the richest population to pay more of the tax money because they make more money. If the poorer people paid most of the taxes the rich would always be rich and the poor would starve because they would have no money.
3. I do not think that I would change the tax system that we have today, because our tax system works quiet well and most people pay their taxes on time. Also the way people are taxed is fair and stable.
3. I would change the rates so that they would be closer to each other, no matter what class. This would make it fair to everybody in the nation, as opposed to having everybody pay a specific income based on pay.
Emily Hotaling, 4th Hour
1. I think that the French tax system was set up this way to keep the third estate without power. The third Estate could have saved up and became richer than the first and second, but since they had to pay so many taxes, they were still lower. I also think that the first and second thought they were too good to pay the taxes. They thought that the lower people of the society should have to pay.
2. I think that today the tax system is mostly fair. The wealthiest Americans should pay the most money because they make the most. If the poor paid the same amount they wouldn’t be able to, and they would be greatly in dept.
3. To modify our tax system, I would probably make it so that the middle class pays less, and the upper class pays more. If the difference between the lower middle class has to pay only 5% less than the upper class, it’s not really fair. So we could either make like a 4 class system, or just group people separately inside of the middle class.
Leah Cohen
1. I think the French tax system was set up that way because the first class and second class had power in the government, so they choose not have themselves be a big part of taxes. Also, the second and third class had a huge difference, meaning the second class can overrule the third class, making them have to pay more taxes without their consent.
2. I do and do not think that the former tax system is fair. It is fair because the wealthier people have more money and can afford to pay taxes. Although, the more wealthier can afford to pay 50%, it’s doesn’t mean they should be paying it. I think that the poor people think that because their poor, they don’t have to pay a lot of taxes, so why work harder? I think most poor people don’t try and are able to do more work, but are too lazy so they choose not to. For example, the homeless on the street spending their time and little money they have, drinking. But on the other hand, families that work hard and have a big family to feed and take care of shouldn’t be punished for other people’s laziness. Therefor, my decision is undecided.
Michael Nona
1.The French tax system was set up that way for a few reasons. One of these was that the third estate was the majority of the population. They decided even though they were poorest group they made up almost 90% of the population. Also the first and second estate made up the government. They didn’t want to set up high taxes for themselves so they decided to put it on the people who had no say in the government, the third estate.
2.Yes, I think it is fair to make the upper class pay the majority of the taxes. It is fair because the upper class can afford more money while the lower you go in the classes the less they can afford. I think that they should be taxed the amount they are unless they can’t afford life’s basic needs and a few simple luxuries but when you make loads of money can afford the taxes and still be rich.
3.I wouldn’t change the taxes much but I would a little. Taxes would be lower if the government didn’t spend as much. Otherwise the taxing system is good because people are taxed on how much they can afford.
Samuel Kepes
Blog 17
1) The French tax system was set up in an unfair manner to take advantage of the poor. If the monarchy kept the taxes high for the poor than they would have no money for education. The next generation would be as unaware as their parents and all they would know was farming and suffering. This allowed the nobles to remain rich, without much work, and keep things how they wanted them to be.
2) I think the tax system is not very fair for the wealthy families. Most people now a day’s most work hard to become rich, and taxing them so they have to give up almost half of their money doesn’t seem fair. It does seem fair that they are taxed the most, because they can still live comfortable lives, but almost 50% seems like a lot.
3) If I could modify the tax system I would lower the taxes for the upper class. They should have the highest tax, but 50% is a lot of their money they have to give up, especially if they are making 500,000 and up.
1. The French tax system was set up that way because the First (Clergy) and Second (Royalty) Estate had control, and did not want to pay that much (only about 3% of the total tax debt). The Clergy and the Royalty dumped all the taxes on the Bourgeoisie, who had to pay 97% of the tax debt.
2. I think it is fair, because America’s tax system is based on how much you make, and if you make over $200,000 a year for a family of four, you are more than well off and can spare a little bit of money for your country.
3. If I could modify our tax system today, I would make it so that actors and actresses, Professional sports players, and people like Bill Gates would have to pay more, because right now there is a cap for the increase of the percentage at $375,000.
Jack Arvai 4th hour Wickersham
Jason Markowitz
Blog 17
1. The French tax system was set up to that the government took advantage of the less fortunate. The French society was set up into estates. The first estate was the clergy second was nobles, and third peasants. The French government had its so that the third estate was paying up to 97% of the taxes where the first and second estate were paying little to none. The French government set it up this way to keep the third estate poor and unaware to what they can have. They also did it to keep the people with the most power happy and they didn’t want to tax themselves.
2. I don’t think the current tax system is fair. I think that there should be a flat rate that everyone pays. This rate should be affordable for all.
3. To modify our tax system I would make a flat rate affordable for everyone to pay. It shouldn’t be based on how much money you make annually because it will cause havoc within the wealthiest class of people.
1. I think the French tax system was set up that way because the clergy and the nobles did not want to pay the taxes. If they weren’t paying someone had, in this case the third estate. This also made the third estates powerless while the others got richer and lived a good life.
2. I think the American government is fair because it we think about it, it’s like taking away the same amount depending on the earnings of the person. The lower subtract for example half of what they have while the richer people subtract half as well. In the end they technically both loose the same thing.
3. I wouldn’t change the system because I agree with it. I do because I believe that it’s impossible for the lower classes to pay as much as the higher classes most like the French revolution time. I think the system is well planned out and logical. I don’t think any changes could be taken because it seems to be working fine already.
Sarah Azekely 5th hour
1) I think that the French tax system was decided that way because the people in power wanted it to. They put the special privileges to themselves, benefitting only them. They didn’t have any regard to the lower classes. Their selfishness would only cause their downfall.
2) I don’t think this is fair at all. The American people are suffering already and the taxes are making it worse. The poverty level of America is growing and the only way to stop that is to fix this problem.
3) The lower class Americans should pay what they can and let the people who can afford living, luxuries AND taxes pay the rest. They would still prosper and the lower class citizens would be better off. They would still struggle maybe but it would pull a lot of families out of poverty and maybe hel this country and dig it out of the enormous whole we have been living in.
Philip Johnson HOLLA!
3-26-10
5th Hour HOLLA!
1. I believe that the French tax system was set up in this unfair way because the leaders were the people of the first and second classes so they had the power of setting up the French economy and they wanted to have special privileges and conserve as much of their money as possible.
2. I do think that the American tax system is fair because if the people earning the lowest amount of money had to pay the most money for taxes, there would be more economic troubles and the lower class may increase, but the rich people would become even richer. The richer people have more excess money that they can use to pay for taxes so it makes since that they pay the most money. It doesn’t put them in financial debt as it would for the poor people if they were taxes heavily.
3. I would possibly make the taxes a little higher because many of the cities around America like Detroit, have very poor school materials, roads, etc. These are all things that an increase in taxes may help so that there is an even higher majority of quality areas in our nation.
Steve A
1.) think the reason why the French taxed that way was because they felt that the people that had more money didn’t need to pay many taxes because they are considered royalty and the people that paid a lot of the taxes (middle/lower-class) had to pay them because it was pretty much saying that they needed to contribute to society more and to do that they needed to pay more taxes.
2.) I think it is fair because if we keep relying on getting taxes from the middle class/lower-class people then are economy would suffer because they wouldn’t be able to pay the taxes. Make the rich people pay more taxes is better because they have the money to do so without being a massive debt and not hurting the economy.
3.) If I could modify the tax system I would make all the land taxes the same so people that don’t make that much money could still live in a nice area without paying the crazy taxes like we do here in Birmingham Michigan.
Chase Turner Hour:5
1.I think that the taxes were set up that way because the nobles and the rich people high up in the first estate did not want to waste their money on taxes, and decided that they would take all of the money from the poor people because they were poor anyway.
2. No I don’t think it’s fair. It is unfair that the wealthy people who work hard for their money have to pay more than the poor crack heads on the street. They should tax the wealthy a little bit less, but they still need to pay taxes just like everyone else.
3. To modify our tax system I would say that we tax everyone a certain percent of what they make, and not higher and higher percents due your income. So I would make it 30% of what you make you should pay to the government in taxes.
1. I think the French tax system was set up that way because it kind of put the classes into some kind of order. I believe that if they didn’t have that tax system, France would have been a big mess. Well even more than it was during the French Revolution. I don’t think they should have had the people with the less money, have to pay more though. That just isn’t fair, because they can’t afford taxes, a home, a family, and have food on the table. They should’ve made the wealthier people in the first estate pay more. Since they can actually afford it.
2. I do think it is fair that our current tax system expects the wealthiest Americans to pay half of the tax amount. I think that because again they can afford it, and since we’re in a recession most people are not very rich or wealthy. The middle and lower than middle class, shouldn’t have to pay as much for car insurance, house insurance, bills, and food because people are losing their jobs and can’t find the money for these necessities.
3. If I could change our tax system, I would most likely make house and car insurance less money. I get that if you keep your lights on or computers on then you will have a high electricity bill, but if your okay with turning the lights off when you don’t need them, or your don’t turn up the heat a lot, then people shouldn’t have to pay high taxes.
Donovan Hertz
3-25-10
5th Hour
1.I think that the French tax system was set up that way because they wanted to keep the nobles happy but it ending up hurting them because most of the people in France where either first or second parties. They were either peasants or middle class but most of them were not the wealthiest people in the world. They also wanted the wealthy people to stay wealthy and the poor people to stay poor.
2. No I don’t think that our tax system is fair. I think that everyone should be taxed the same and that even though you are richer than someone else that doesn’t make you better or something. Like they say everyone should be treated equal.
3. I would make everyone pay the same taxes. I will make them all have a “flat” rate or something like that to make sure that it is equal for everyone and not special for any person.
Byron Larson 5th Hour
1) I think that the French tax system was set up the way it was because their social statuses set up a kind of system of power where the ones with more power, such as nobles and clergy, could bend the will of the economy to make it unfair for others and so that they didn’t have to pay as much as others because they were greedy.
2) I think it is fair for our economy to tax the rich more because it ensures that the rich don’t take advantage of their wealth and keeps them from abusing their status like the French did. It also helps those who are less fortunate than the higher class keep a steady income and keeps them from going into debt.
3) I honestly wouldn’t do anything to change our tax system, it has worked fine for years and it will keep working as long as ignorant people are kept out of office.
Aaron Lewis 5th hour
1. I think that the French tax system was set up like the way it was because the first and second estates were greedy and didn’t want to lose their position in society. The first estate paid about two percent of taxes and the second estate paid about one percent of taxes. That made the third estate or the poorest group had to pay ninety-seven percent of the taxes which kept them in their place in society.
2. I think our current tax system is fair with the wealthy paying more because it evens out the graph of wealth in our country and keeps our poverty levels low. The wealthy people might not like that they are paying more but if they were to look at the main idea they would realize that they are helping the country and economy for the future.
3. If I could modify our tax system today I would change nothing. I agree with our system and how the wealthy pay the most because it will help our country and economy and that’s what I think our government was thinking when they created it.
1} I think the French set up their tax system like this because the nobles people felt as if they didn’t have to pay taxes (or very little) so the third estate was their option so they could maintain their wealth and the poor would still be poor and the middle class would just try to keep their place between the two (upper class and the lower class)
2} I think this is fair because everybody ends up paying for what they truly can afford. I doubt the rich people are hurt by paying what they can afford. The poor can get their taxes in and it also giving them a chance to make money without having every check go tward their taxes
3} I wouldn’t change anything about todays taxes because I think it’s a smart system and nobody is paying for something they cant afford.
Asha Brown 5th hour
1. I think that the French tax system was set up so that none of the middle class could move up and take power because the taxes kept the middle class with the same amount of money they already had. The taxes kept the poor in debt and the rich wealthy.
2. I think that the current tax system is fair but also unfair because some people who are in middle class live from paycheck to paycheck. The tax system is unfair because the wealthy shouldn’t have to pay half of the amount it should be split equally.
3. If I could modify are tax system I would balance the amount the upper class, middle class and lower class pay. I would more so rely on the upper and middle class to pay taxes because for those who are in lower class they are already struggling enough. The tax system mainly depends on the economy so equal is the better way to go.
Matthew Allen
1. The French tax system was imposed mainly on the peasantry of the third estate because the first and second estates felt that if the majority of the taxes were paid by the peasantry, the third estate rising to power would not be anticipated—the third estate would remain the third estate.
2. The U.S. tax system (in my opinion) is structured based on rational thought and common sense. People from the lower class are responsible for the smallest payment issued by tax officials, giving them a chance to move up to a higher class if given a relatively decent job. It may seem unfair to certain people that the upper class must pay 50% of the taxes issued, but it is fairly reasonable to charge the wealthiest group the largest amount of money, given the fact that they are already at the top of society.
3. If I were given the chance to modify the American tax system, it would most likely remain unchanged— the upper class pays the highest tax rates, the middle class pays a moderate amount, and the lower class pays a significantly small amount; exactly how it should be.
Andrew Hausman - 4th Hour
1. The French pre-revolutionary tax system was formulated by the people possessing the power, the First and Second Estate, who forced those without any power or influence – The Third Estate - to pay taxes. Naturally, they didn’t want to pay taxes because they didn’t want to give up their money. This seems logical, but is very greedy and simple – minded. Taxes can benefit and improve society as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. suggests. This was especially true in 1780s France when the government was experiencing severe financial issues due to the gluttony and narrow-mindedness of the nation’s wealthy elite. The rich could have helped prevent the economic anguish that contributed to the French Revolution by easing the government’s financial burden through taxation. In doing so, they might have prevented the Revolution and maintained their privileged status in exchange for a little bit of money. If the richest French citizens had been a little more forward-thinking, they could have saved their social standing and many of people who died during the Revolution, including, in some cases, themselves. However, this raises the scary possibility that absolute monarchies and rigid social classes could still exist today.
2. The lower and middle classes are unfairly taxed in the current tax system. This is because the taxation of the entire population never should have happened. Only the citizens making the most money were taxed before World War II. To help pay for the war effort, the government began to tax everyone. After the war had ended, the government liked the additional revenue, and didn’t repeal the widespread income taxes. Since then, the government has wasted large amounts of money that should belong to the American people for worthless wars, grants, pork-barrel spending, stimulus funds, and a bailout of corrupt financial institutions.
3. There should be additional tax brackets for wealthy citizens that have more than $375,000 in income. All people who make more than this per year are currently in the top tax bracket, meaning that no matter how large their income is, they pay the same percentage of their income as taxes as other people who make over $375,000. Wealthier people who make enormous amounts of money should pay even larger percentages of their income to the government that should increase with increasing incomes. People making $375,000 a year are almost as those with an income of $135,000 annually as they are from those making millions of dollars. There is 10% tax rate difference between the first two categories, yet people making over $375,000 a year are paying the same percentage of their income to the government as those who have millions of dollars in income. As a result of this additional income, the tax burden of the lower tax brackets could be lessened or even eliminated if the government reduced its excessive and wasteful spending.
Lianna Schmidt
1) I believe that the French set up their tax system they way it was because the 1st and 2nd estates were very powerful at the time and they could set the rules about taxation. Which they took advantage of the 3rd estate and had them pay 97% of the taxes.
2) I think that the way taxes are set up right now is absolutely fair because of the fact that if you are making more money than others then you should pay more in taxes. If everyone paid the same percentage tax on their income, the tax payment would have a greater effect on the poor.
3) If it were up to me I would change the tax system by cutting taxes so that people would have more money to spend which would end up back as a percentage of taxes. Also a cut in taxes to businesses would provide money to go towards hiring more employees. In turn, these employees would pay income taxes. I would cut wasteful spending that causes the government to borrow too much money from other countries. I would reverse the new health care law which will be increasing our debt and spending indefinitely.
Why do you think the French tax system was set up that way?
It was set up that way, I would think, as a way of keeping the "ancien regime" in a way similar to sharecropping in the United States from the 1870s to the 1950s. The logic behind it, in the eyes of the first and second estates, would be that The taxes levied on the third estate would be enough to limit how much they could make, while supporting the lavish lifestyle that was had by the first and second estates. In addition, the third estate was only represented by a third of the French parliament, which meant that any proposition made by the third estate, which would most likely detriment the first or second estate, would have to be approved by the first and second estates, which would be nearly impossible, which was exactly the idea in mind of setting up the third estate as a minority.
Do you think our current tax system is fair with the wealthiest Americans paying half of the tax amount collected every year? Why or why not?
I think the current system is fair, as the wealthiest people in America obviously have no shortage of income, as the less wealthy people have much less that they can afford. For example, a family that made, say $200,000 a year would have enough spare income to pay taxes, whereas a worse-off family would have things to worry about, such as a house payment, and keeping food on their table. The wealthy should keep the tax burden, because, in reality, they are making most of the decisions up high in governments and corporations. If they make the decisions in government, they should be the ones paying for the decisions they make.
What would you do to our tax system today to modify it? (For instance, do you think our government spends too much money on social services / the military / other stuff? Would you lower taxes (and forbid it to borrow any money unless in an emergency) to force the government to spend less? Or, what about a flat tax where everybody pays the same percentage/rate?) Why?
Long story short, I wouldn’t, because the war in Afghanistan is becoming more and more necessary again, and I want to make the tea partiers angry
Cassidy Cyr
4th hour
1. I think that the French tax system was set up this way because the majority of the government was made up of the first and second estate which was mainly wealthy class people and they didn’t want to have the burden of paying a lot of taxes. So the majority of the taxes were put on to the third estate, which were the peasants. The peasants would have no chance of improving their life.
2. I think that the tax system in the United States is meant to be fair. However, there are many more possible loopholes and available deductions for the upper class as opposed to the middle and lower class.
3. Our tax system could sustain in its current form if it was controlled in a more honest fashion. If there were a higher degree of honesty and integrity within our government any need for change would be unnecessary. Unfortunately, our governmental system allows for excessive corruption which leads to the need to often increase taxes unfairly. Simply put, the tax system would be okay if the people in authority had any conscience.
Audrey Landgraff
4th Hour
1. I think the French tax system may have been set up that way because the first and second estates held most power in government, and for obvious reasons, they wanted to push the taxes off onto someone else, someone weaker. Because the third estate had little or no power in government, there was nothing they could do about this. The first and second estate kept themselves tax free by shooting down any ideas of change in the tax system, and kept the third estate as powerless as possible.
2. I am not sure that right now I can really decide if I think it is fair, because I don’t work or make money for myself and don’t pay taxes. But my opinion is that wealthier people in America, although most do work hard for their wealth, are actually able to afford their taxes. But by taxing the poor people in America the same amount, we are only pushing them more into poverty. The reason I think it is right is because we are giving people a chance. Some people come from bad areas with bad schools. Although the majority of kids from those situations don’t try, there are the few that do, that want a better life. We don’t tax them as much because some people have no way to afford it, and then what are we going to do, go back to biblical ways and demand the murder of their first born son?
3. I would change the system to limit government spending. I think the government should really step back and evaluate the things they are spending money on, and if they are really that important. The government should be working more at education and bettering the lives of American citizens. Because at the end of the day an education is the only thing that you need to be successful, except the want to be successful.
Kaylee Brown
World History 9B
March 28, 2010
1. I think the french tax system was set up this way because of their government, the absolute monarchy. All of the officials of the absolute monarchy were clergy, because they were clergy they wanted the peasants to pay all of the taxes. Since there was no variety in classes in the absolute monarchy this was not seen as wrong, but rather fair.
2. I do not think our tax system is fair because just because wealthy people make a lot of money does not mean they should give it up. Rich people work hard for their money and poor people sometime choose that life style because they are lazy. Poor people should not be rewarded for bad choices in life. Instead I think that we should all pay the same amount of taxes.
3. I think that to improve our tax system everyone should pay the same amount of taxes. That way, no one gets rewarded for being lazy. I also think that it is necessary to save more money right now or put our money to better use, so to do that we should cut back on things that don't need as much help and use it to get cities and companies back on their feet.
Ben Hafen, 5th Hour
Question 1:
France had inherently distinct social classes at the time of the French monarchy. Those in the upper class—or, rather, the clergy and nobles—naturally viewed themselves as superior to those who were socially beneath them. Ergo, the peasants and artisans were required to sustain them; why else would they be beneath them (the nobles and clergy)? Unfortunately for the third estate, sustaining the nobles often came with a rigid toll: their health, their freedom, their happiness…and sometimes even their lives.
Question 2:
No, not entirely. Even if they are paying half of the country's taxes, that still means that the lower social classes are paying the other half. After all, if the wealthier citizens have more money, why shouldn't they pay more taxes than everyone else? We shouldn't be required to pay money for taxes that we don't have.
Question 3:
As I've already stated, the lower classes don't have as much money to pay for taxes as the upper class. If the lower-class and poverty-stricken have to pay, they should only be required to pay what they can. The middle class is the social class that's doing all of the work for America--the lower class isn't as able to, and the upper class is just living in luxury--but, they're being taxed more than everyone when they're not even making that much money to begin with! Isn't global recession just fine and dandy, President Obama? Those people in the upper class just lazing away in their pride and wealth need to get off of their butts and do something more for the country. They're not doing anything important with the money they have; why not put it to good use?
1. I think that the tax system was set up that way because the first and second estates held most of the power and they held a high government of jobs.
2. I dont think that the poor people should get taxed because they cant afford it and if they had the chance or money they would work just as hard as the wealthier people do. I dont think its fair that the poor people have to suffer like that and get taxed, i think the wealthier people should get taxed because they have more money.
3. I think that government should pay for half or some of the education and healthcare for the poor and wealthy people to be fair. I think that if the government should pay some or most of the money for the poor especially, but to be fair i think that the gov. should pay for half to everyone no matter who it is.
Grace F.
Brett Bernhardt
1. I think that the French government was set up that way because the first and second estates wanted to stay rich and have most of the population pay what was needed to be paid. Also if the First and the Second estates paid more taxes than they thought they should pay, the estates would fall apart.
2. I think that our tax system is corrupt. Why should the wealthiest people pay the most taxes. They are the ones who hire the rest of us. If you keep taxing them, they won't hire us. Have you ever been hired by a poor person?
3. Our tax system should be modified so that everyone should pay the same flat tax percentage/rate. Whether you made $1,000 or $100,000 you pay that same percentage. People who make more will pay more in taxes. Yes, the government is spending too much money on social services but NOT on military. There has been too much cheating and fraud in the social services department and they need to fix that before spending anymore. Keep spending in Military, because they keep this country free!
Nick V. 5th hour
1. I think that the French tax system was set up so the third class paid 97% of the taxes because everyone who had a seat of power was in the first two classes. The clergy and nobles in the first two social classes liked having the power in their own hands and didn’t want to lose that power by losing money.
2. I don’t think that the current tax system in America is fair. With the wealthy paying 50% of the taxes when they only make up 10% of the population. I think that it’s like punishing the rich for being successful. I think that every American should have to pay the same percentage of money except lower class should pay half of what upper and lower pay. I think that there should be only two classes upper and lower.
3. If I could modify the American tax system I would have lower taxes on military. We aren’t even fighting our own war right now. I would raise the taxes to pay off our debts with China. I would change it so that the upper and middle class pay the same percentage for their taxes. The lower class would pay 50% of what the upper and middle class pay.
Crystal Thompson 5th Hour
1. I think the reason the French tax system was set up that way was because the people who had the power most likely set it up. They wanted to set up the tax so that the third estate people got no benefits and the first and second estate people got all of the benefits.
2. I think that the current tax system in America where the wealthiest people only pay half is extremely unfair. The wealthier people should pay higher taxes because they have enough money and it really wouldn’t be a problem for them, where the less wealthy people have to pay more when they can’t afford it as much.
3. To modify the tax system today I would say the more money you make the more taxes you pay, and I wouldn’t send as much money to the social service and the army because you could be using that money to feed the poor.
1) I believe that the French tax system was set up that way because all of the individuals involved in the government, or who had an influence in the government, belonged to the First or Second Estates. The third estate, which had very little or no influence, couldn’t interfere with these affairs. Another reason I believe the French tax system was set up this way was because in medieval times, the peasants and members of lower society were held responsible for supporting the nobility and royalty. The French tax system, having been based off of a medieval system, exemplified these concepts except the third estate represented the poor while the first and second estates portrayed the nobles and royalty.
2) In a certain aspect I believe that it is fair for the wealthiest Americans to be paying half of America’s taxes because it would be an unreasonable burden to place on the lower class and maybe even members of the middle class that make a lower salary if they had to pay a greater majority of taxes. In another aspect I believe it is unfair to the wealthiest Americans to have to pay the majority of the taxes because in a way it is almost the reverse of the old French tax system, only not as extreme.
3) If I could do something to our tax system today I would eradicate all of the unnecessary and bizarre taxes such as the tax placed on blueberries from Maine, stadium taxes, and inheritance taxes. All of these taxes have very little influence on any part of American society; they are not beneficiary to the United States economy.
Erick Dagenais, 5th hour
1.I think that the French tax system was set up this way because the nobles and clergy corrupted the government. They had a lot of money and power at that time, which gave them the power to arrange deals with the government to free them from taxes. Another possibility is that they didn’t want some successful Third Estate families to rise up to noble status.
2.I think that the American tax system is fair because it helps out those who aren’t as wealthy and fortunate as others. Those who have enough money to have a luxurious life can afford to pay a little more in taxes without really affecting how they live. Those who don’t have much money can have a financial boost through not paying as much in taxes.
3.If I could modify today’s tax system I would remove the tax percentage cap for people making more than $375,000. It wouldn’t be fair if someone making $2 million a year pays the same tax percentage as someone making $400,000. I think that those making $1 million a year should pay a higher tax percentage than those making $375,000.
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Nick
1).I think that they set their tax system up that way because it was like that the wealth brought more to the table. They had land and the upper class had most of the power. The people in the lower class had like less power so they taxed them more.
2). Well yes, and no because in your community they tax you on how much your income is I say that because you can’t tax a person 30,000 a year if they only making 20,000. All I’m saying is yea we do tax based on wealthiest. I say no because we no longer tax the wealthy people less than the people that’s on the low end of the bargain.
3). If you ask me I would leave the tax system the same way it is today. I wouldn’t raise the tax percentage or lower the tax percentage would just tax the people based on how much they make.
Kyle E.
1. Because the richer people that had power thought that they were too good for the first estate and didn’t want to stop and give up all their power so they just made taxes higher for the first estate so none of them could rise up to power.
2. I think that higher taxes for the rich might be a little harsh but if it is to the point where the higher class can sustain that level in society the keep it the same but if the higher class people start to dissipate then lower taxes. I also think that this should be the same for all the classes.
3. I would probably try to keep taxes low and only raise them if I see the prices of a certain product go to high or to low I would also increase taxes of imported products like cars but not produce. My main goal would be to keep demand up for most products so that there wouldn’t be a collapse in the government.
Nick Morley
Alan Panley
I think the French tax system was set up the way it was because of a corrupt government. Because the nobles and clergy were in total control of the government they had the power to do whatever they wanted to. If they didn’t want to pay taxes they could easily force the lower class to take care of them, and that’s just what they did. This would leave more money to upper classes, and less to the lower estates, which wasn’t fair. It’s no wonder, the 3rd estate revolted.
I do not completely agree with the United States current taxing system but I do not think it is completely wrong. I do believe that the wealthy should pay more taxes because they have more money to pay, but think it unfair to professional sports players who make millions of dollars a year. Overall I do think this is a good way for the United States Government to collect money.
To fix this I think the government should increase tax on incoming products from China. This would also force more products to be made in the USA.
Brad Sloan 5th hour
1. The French tax system was set up that way because the wealthy French did not want the poor third estate to gain power and have authority in the French community. Therefore, the government in France taxed the poor more and the wealthy less.
2. I think that our system is not fair because the wealthy should not have to pay more than any other American. My reasoning behind this is that the wealthy have worked hard for their money and should not be punished for that. The taxes should be split evenly between lower class, middle class, and upper class.
3. If I had the power to modify our tax system, I would make it so the middle class, the lower class, and the upper class would all pay even amounts of taxes. This would be a fair way to distribute the taxes. All citizens in the United States should be treated even and have equal taxes.
Tom Power
1.) The French tax system was set up that way because the rich people where the powerful and they did not want to pay taxes so they made all of the other citizens pay them because they needed to be payed by someone.
2.) I think that the current tax system is a effective tax system because it is taxing the people that have money and the people who have no money. This is working well for our country and it was a great idea
3.) To make our tax system better I would make the lower class taxes higher because most of them are capable of making higher income they just chose not to they dropped out or they did not work hard and hold down a job. This would allow the higher class pay fewer taxes and keep their hard earned money. How much a “class” gets taxes should be based on population of the “class” as much as the wealth of the “class”.
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Declan Gibbons
1. I think this tax system was set this way because it keep the wealthy and influential nobles wealthy. I think this tax system would also make the second class even wealthier. I think France did this so that they could one day turn their tax system into one like our‘s, and have a huge wealthy class and a lower class pay off their foreign debts.
2. No I don’t think our current tax system is fair. It’s making it so that there is only a middle class, except for very rare occasions. It’s not fair because I feel everyone should be taxed the same percent out of their pay.
3. To modify the tax system I would have everyone pay the same percent out of their pay. But since we need tax money and that would create less money I would just have all private schools, because public schools take a lot of the tax money.
5th hour Maddie feys
Question 1
The tax system was really stupid because they made the lower class people pay more then the higher class had to pay because the higher class people were like “were rich we get a special treatment because we have the money and were superior blah blah blah”. Because the higher class got a special treatment for lots of things like hunting rights and such. So because of the special treatment they went no we don’t have to pay as much because we don’t want to.
Question 2
Yes I do think it’s fair because the lower class now has more money for rent and groceries and such. And the higher class has the extra money lying around so I think it’s fair, so now the lower class has more money lying around.
Question 3
I wouldn’t change it I would like to say lower the taxes but we need the money for the government and I would like to make them higher for the army and such but lots of people can’t pay the higher taxes really I wish there were no tax but we need it so it’s hard to stay which annoys me.
1. I think the French tax system was set up that way because the clergy and nobles were richer and had more power on being able to pay little taxes while the third estate had to pay the majority. They took advantage of their power over the 3rd estate and didn’t want the payment to be equal.
2. I do not think how the tax payment is set up now because I feel that everyone should pay the equal amount. People work for their money and I don’t think it’s fair for the upper class having to pay more money because they are more successful.
3. I would make everyone pay the same amount of taxes so the payment could be equal because I feel that is how it should be. No one should have to pay more or less than anyone else.
christina lieder
1. I think the French tax system was set up this way because the people that were in the government and made these rules were in either the first or second estate, so they figured it would be beneficial to them to “rig the system” and make it so that they had to barely pay any taxes, allow them to get rich and stay rich easier.
2. I do not think that the current tax system is fair with the wealthiest Americans paying half of the tax amount collected each year because they worked very hard to achieve their wealth and the fact that they have to pay so much money for taxes is almost as if they are being penalized for being rich.
3. To modify our current tax system I would make it so that everybody pays a set percentage of their income in taxes, however, once you reach a certain point, you can’t pay any more than that amount. This way the very wealthy will not have to pay extreme amounts of money in taxes every year.
Calvin Greer
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