RE: Do the math II

2000-02-08 Thread Timework Web
Max, you butterfly, you. I would agree that the outcome in the example you give seems "less unappealing". That is perhaps because we can imagine what it is like to have an income of $10,000 and what it would feel like to get a $1000 boost. We can also imagine how unimportant a $2000 windfall might

RE: Re: Do the math. II

2000-02-08 Thread Max Sawicky
Over on LBO they're arguing about who is more psychotic. I think both sides are winning. So this debate compares well. I would be sorry to see either TW or RO go. Neither of them has called me an insect yet. On the substance of the matter . . . TW said: Max has an income of $100. Ro

Re: Do the math. II

2000-02-08 Thread Timework Web
Roger Odisio wrote, > mean between $10,000 and $15,000--the last bit of bullshit you used to > avoid addressing which tax system I posited was more progressive.) Getting testy now, are we? Max has an income of $100. Roger has an income of $10. I give Max $2

Re: Re: Do the math. II

2000-02-08 Thread Roger Odisio
Tom Walker: > Roger Odisio wrote, > > > An electricity price reduction is the same thing as a lump sum rebate in > > this context; each has the same effect on disposable income. > > No. The lump-sum rebate in your example was without regard to levels of > consumption. The poor consumer received t

Re: Do the math. II

2000-02-08 Thread Timework Web
Roger Odisio wrote, > An electricity price reduction is the same thing as a lump sum rebate in > this context; each has the same effect on disposable income. No. The lump-sum rebate in your example was without regard to levels of consumption. The poor consumer received the same $200 as the rich

Re: RE: Do the math. II

2000-02-08 Thread Roger Odisio
Tom Walker wrote: > Roger Odisio wrote, > > > The clearest way to see the effect . . . > > The key word here is "effect". The illustration you gave, Roger, is not of > a flat-rate reduction but of a lump-sum rebate. Under the circumstances, a > lump-sum rebate _would_ be progressive in the strict

RE: Do the math. II

2000-02-08 Thread Timework Web
Roger Odisio wrote, > The clearest way to see the effect . . . The key word here is "effect". The illustration you gave, Roger, is not of a flat-rate reduction but of a lump-sum rebate. Under the circumstances, a lump-sum rebate _would_ be progressive in the

Re: Do the math. I

2000-02-08 Thread Timework Web
Max Sawicky wrote, > But suppose it is the ratio of net of tax income? > In Walker's example, the ratio changes from > (9/8)*(rich inc/poor inc) to (91/82) * (rich/poor). > The latter is smaller, which could be taken to > mean "more" progressivity. Or less inequality. The dictionary definition

Re: Do the math.

2000-02-08 Thread Roger Odisio
Tom Walker wrote: > I don't quarrel with the definition, only with applying the term to > a situation where it doesn't apply. Be humble. Do the math. > > > "Increasing in rate as the taxable amount increases: a progressive > > income tax." > > Th

RE: Do the math.

2000-02-07 Thread Max B. Sawicky
Roger Odisio wrote, > By my reading, only a couple posts by Tom Walker seem to quarrel with > it. (the definition of progressivity) I don't quarrel with the definition, only with applying the term to a situation where it doesn't apply. Be humble. Do the math. >>>>&

Do the math.

2000-02-07 Thread Timework Web
Roger Odisio wrote, > By my reading, only a couple posts by Tom Walker seem to quarrel with > it. (the definition of progressivity) I don't quarrel with the definition, only with applying the term to a situation where it doesn't apply. Be humble. Do the math. > "I