An excise tax on political contributions

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this would be constitutional (although, really, are we even following the Constitution anymore?) but Democrats should propose and run on a progressive excise tax on political and dark money contributions. I suggest a schedule as such:

0% up to $2,500

100% from $2,500-10,000

500% from $10,000 to $1 million

1,000% $1 million and above.

That would solve a lot of problems with money in politics and help reduce the deficit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this would be constitutional (although, really, are we even following the Constitution anymore?) but Democrats should propose and run on a progressive excise tax on political and dark money contributions. I suggest a schedule as such:

0% up to $2,500

100% from $2,500-10,000

500% from $10,000 to $1 million

1,000% $1 million and above.

That would solve a lot of problems with money in politics and help reduce the deficit.

Democrats would never go for that.

[Anonymous]

Congress has wide flexibility to implement taxes under the constitution. I’m not sure that an excise tax specifically targeted at political donations would be constitutional. However, Congress could change the tax laws to make 501(c)4 organizations recognize donations as taxable income and make lobbying a non deductible expense for these organizations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congress has wide flexibility to implement taxes under the constitution. I’m not sure that an excise tax specifically targeted at political donations would be constitutional. However, Congress could change the tax laws to make 501(c)4 organizations recognize donations as taxable income and make lobbying a non deductible expense for these organizations.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this would be constitutional (although, really, are we even following the Constitution anymore?) but Democrats should propose and run on a progressive excise tax on political and dark money contributions. I suggest a schedule as such:

0% up to $2,500

100% from $2,500-10,000

500% from $10,000 to $1 million

1,000% $1 million and above.

That would solve a lot of problems with money in politics and help reduce the deficit.

Democrats would never go for that.

And neither would Republicans in Congress. There is little hope of reducing the influence of money in politics as long as the GOP and Dem Parties are in complete control of Congress.

Everyone wins with our current campaign finance protocols except for the regular people that aren't politicians or ultra wealthy mega donors.

[Anonymous]

Could be worse - political contributions used to be tax deductible like charitable donations. Changed sometime in the late 80s.

[Anonymous]

This is a tax on speech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congress has wide flexibility to implement taxes under the constitution. I’m not sure that an excise tax specifically targeted at political donations would be constitutional. However, Congress could change the tax laws to make 501(c)4 organizations recognize donations as taxable income and make lobbying a non deductible expense for these organizations.

Right to lobbying is in the first amendment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a tax on speech.

No, it is not. Money is exchanged for goods or services. Money is not communication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this would be constitutional (although, really, are we even following the Constitution anymore?) but Democrats should propose and run on a progressive excise tax on political and dark money contributions. I suggest a schedule as such:

0% up to $2,500

100% from $2,500-10,000

500% from $10,000 to $1 million

1,000% $1 million and above.

That would solve a lot of problems with money in politics and help reduce the deficit.

Are you a trumper? You must be. Because you’re proposing a great idea for eliminating Democrat’s largest and most important donors.

And if you’re NOT a trumper, you’re just really friggin stupid, then.

[Anonymous]

I like this idea. But it wouldn’t help Democrats. We insist on keeping some of our most unpopular policies regarding illegal immigrants and trans folk. Selling unpopular policies requires a lot of money and spin. Whereas popular ideas sell themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this would be constitutional (although, really, are we even following the Constitution anymore?) but Democrats should propose and run on a progressive excise tax on political and dark money contributions. I suggest a schedule as such:

0% up to $2,500

100% from $2,500-10,000

500% from $10,000 to $1 million

1,000% $1 million and above.

That would solve a lot of problems with money in politics and help reduce the deficit.

Are you a trumper? You must be. Because you’re proposing a great idea for eliminating Democrat’s largest and most important donors.

And if you’re NOT a trumper, you’re just really friggin stupid, then.

A lot of big Democratic donors are already gone. They see the writing on the wall. The next decade isn’t going to be great for Democrats.

[Anonymous]

Every time there is a new limit placed on political donations, it makes it that much more likely that winning political candidates will be self funded billionaires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a tax on speech.

No, it is not. Money is exchanged for goods or services. Money is not communication.

This money is being spent(and sent) to purchase political speech.
That's like saying a large tax on newsprint and ink and large format printers is not infringing on a free press.

[Anonymous]

OR we overturn Citizens United. Much easier.

And reinstate the Fairness Doctrine while we’re at it.