Overwhelming support?
And the reasoning is just as stupid.
Does nobody consider the consequences?
Assuming all the necessary services paid for by these taxes continue, that tax burden is shifted to the younger population-the children and grandchildren of this over 65 population.
Seniors deserve no more than anyone else, perhaps less as they had their chance at life.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
“Americans are taxed lower than most other modern countries…”
And they have higher income/wealth/GDP per capita than most countries.
Americans also have the most unequal income/wealth distribution of other modern countries, both before and after taxes and redistribution.
Tax the rich. Old or young. That’s where the money is. Not just the super rich. Tax me, I have (slightly) higher income and wealth than either average or median. Tax higher incomes progressively more.
Enlightened self interest, in moderation, of course. Everything in moderation. Its logical.
As much as you deny it, extreme inequality is a problem, sui generis.
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Yes a bad idea. Isn’t everything Trump comes up with “bad”? Just like student loan forgiveness, reparations to African Americans and Native Americans. Oh wait…they were the Democrats ideas. But since it wasn’t Trump that must be ok.
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First,those other items you mention were bad ideas. Second, as far as I know ending property taxes at age 65 is not a Trump idea, his tax-free ideas are irresponsible enough.
The reality is, even if people don’t want to acknowledge it, is that taxes are too low for what Americans seem to want and expect in programs and services. And no, it’s not because of fraud and waste.
Americans are taxed lower than most other modern countries and still complain. The effective income tax rate for the lower 50% is 3.7% and 7.7% for up to 75th percentile.
I recall in a debate saying teachers are not underpaid. Most people disagreed and wanted them paid more, but making no connection to where the money comes from to pay teachers – mostly property taxes.
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the effective income tax rate for the lower 50% is less than 3.7%, that is the percentage of income taxes they pay. The median (25th percentile) for that group is $0! So is the 75th Percentile – $0! That is 40+% pay no income taxes and haven’t since George W. Bush was president -~25 years!
why is anyone surprised?
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no surprise that people in their late 60’s, 70’s and older, after having paid taxes all their adult lives, hear Congress talk about raising taxes to fill some of the ~$2 Trillion in annual deficit, and stop adding to the $36 Trillion in national debt.
no surprise they think it is time for someone else to pay – especially those free riders who pay no income taxes on their income.
it comes across as selfish, but it is as much a demand for a little equitable treatment.
to clarify, after a55+ years paying into Social Security, with hopefully more years to come, I am not recommending, and don’t support ending taxes on seniors, any more or less than ending taxes on “non-seniors”.
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Al Lindquist
“Don’t tax you–don’t tax me–tax the guy behind the tree.” Add up all the tax breaks for seniors in NJ and ask yourself why–even then folks leave for states with even lower taxes, or what they perceive, are lower taxes.
When half our citizens pay no federal income tax, and we seemingly have no issue with that, then we might understand why certain groups feel they should be exempt. I believe most states reduce taxes for seniors based on their income–many places use homestead taxes to reduce property tax.
Some states tax SS while others do not–some states exempt Civil Service annuities from taxes–I believe PA has all kinds of exemptions.
Everyone should pay taxes–property taxes can be a real issue with folks–they buy a home–it appreciates based on factors unknown at the time of purchase, say a subway line opens up a few blocks away or folks are sick of commuting to the city so they decide to buy next to me at a price that is goofy.
Most likely I get to pay more tax because the house is worth more, while your statement last week that IRA assets or 403-b assets are not taxed until withdrawn make sense in the context of taxing wealth. My home value, like yours, increases but we also pay more. Buffett, as an example, sees BH increase in value but pays nothing, as far as I know, until shares are sold.
Can I sell the toilet–sink–and tub to buy an Audi? Will I receive “house” dividends to supplement my SS and pension? So I can understand the property tax rant–but to pay nothing they better find some way to replace what they take.
Nothing is fair and eliminating taxes for seniors is not such a great idea. Seems like another way to curry favor and buy votes as well as increase federal, state, and local debt.
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these are the same folks who are free riders on health coverage, pay nothing for Medicaid, qualify for Medicare after only minimal FICA-MED, often dual eligible, or pay little for taxpayer subsidized exchange coverage.
again, why is anyone surprised to see seniors expect some relief – those who paid taxes at higher rates on lesser incomes during the 29th Century – taxes others do not pay today.
I don’t agree but I am not surprised.
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20th Century. Sorry about typo.
Jack
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