Jerry Brown’s Flat-Tax Plan

We currently have a “flat” tax for Social Security and a “progressive” tax for income. Page 5 of form 1040 for 1990 shows us that the “flat” tax of 15.1% raised $375.5 billion and the “progressive” tax ranging from 15% to 31% raised $463.1 billion. Had Social Security been applied to all wages instead of only to wages under $53,400 (a regressive tax if there ever was one), then a “flat” rate of 15% would have raised as much revenue as a “progressive” rate that starts at 15%. Anyone with math facility can see, in aggregate, our current system gives the appearance of being progressive with the reality of being regressive.

GEORGE MILLER

Pasadena