[TheRealVille]

I think that you are missing the point that I am trying to make. It is much easier for politicians to get people to support tax hikes who do not pay taxes themselves. Currently, 47 percent of Americans pay no federal income taxes. Only 25 percent of America's top wage earners currently pay more than 87 percent of all federal income taxes.

As for charitable deductions, it is much cheaper to pay federal income taxes on $10,000 than it is to make a $10,000 charitable contribution - even for Americans who pay taxes at the top marginal rate. People donate to charity because it makes them feel good - not to avoid paying taxes. Granting tax exemptions only encourages larger charitable donations. (Most of us have the common decency not to claim large deductions for donations of the presidential underwear to charity.)

If only taxpayers could vote and if we had a balanced budget amendment, then voters would be very reluctant to support raising their own taxes to pay for frivolous things like NPR, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, bridges to nowhere, etc. Taxes would be spent on things that enjoy widespread support such as interstate highways and national defense.

As I said, my suggestion has no chance of ever becoming the law of the land but it would result in a quick and drastic cut in federal spending.

The top wage earners must be middle class then. Link please. I would also like to see where 53 percent of Americans pay no taxes also. You must not be considering the single mother scraping to make ends meet, with a mim. wage job, who claims a credit on her expenses, plus child care and a child credit, that ends up getting all her tax money back. Should she not be allowed to vote? Also, most people donate to charity to help those in need, not for a feel good feeling.