One of the core Lefty political positions is the idea of taxing the
rich. By that the Left means tax high income people at a higher rate
than everyone else.
The emotion behind this "tax the rich" position seems to be that equality is a desirable human outcome. Envy is also an emotion driving this political position. The "logic" for this position is that the rich live a more luxurious life than everyone else and therefore benefit more from the economy. They should be taxed appropriately.
My response to this is that household pets are the greatest
beneficiaries of luxury and they should be taxed at the same rate as
the rich. Dogs, cats and other pets in America get free housing,
grooming, food and abundant medical care in most cases. Household pets
are the recipients of the top level of luxury in our society. Few are
required to work.
Household pets should be issued tax ID numbers and should be taxed at
the highest income tax rate. The tax should be calculated on the
imputed value of the housing, food and grooming that the pets receive.
The pet "guardians" should file and pay the taxes.
A simple policy argument would also point out that dogs are
increasingly becoming a social cost with their "guardians" demands for
off-leash parks and dog running areas.
Why not?
P.S. Any household pet that does productive work and has expenses associated with maintenance should be allowed to deduct those expenses on their taxes as in the case of dogs for the disabled and police dogs.