> BTW, I said the left thinks the property
> tax is paid by renters. The mainstream
> economists' view is that it is borne
> partly by capital, and partly by
> renters (the latter in jurisdictions
> with above-average tax rates). I lean
> to the mainstream view, just another
> reason for my political friends to
> regard me suspiciously.
>
> MBS
As a cynical hypothesis if you want to look in the Post WW IIyears as to which parts of the tax code are most progressive. Because of a serious crisis in the World namely WWII, the tax code was made fairly progessive at that point probably the first time in US history.
I would look to the marketplace for reforms supported by the right wing and see what effort was put into reforming each tax item. The working hypothesis is that wealthy individuals know which portions of the tax code hit them the hardest and work hard to repeal them. On this hypothesis the most progressive taxes were using only my personal impressionistic assessment is.
1. The old US income tax with its 90%+ marginal tax rates in the 50's 2. Taxation on Capital Gains. 3. Corporate Income Tax 4. Property Taxes 5. Sales Tax as it Exists. 6. Excise Tax as it Exists.
While the marketplace for conservative successful ideas is perhaps not entirely accurate and such judgments need to be rigorously substantiated via analysis and "market survey" . it appears with minimal work the marketplace of conservative effort is roughly a good guide on this score. Notice one doesn't even need an "efficient market" to derive such results. It marvelous what wonderful work can be obtained from Adam Smith's "invisible hand".
--mike
-- Michael Cohen mike at cns.bu.edu Work: 677 Beacon, Street, Rm313 Boston, Mass 02115 Home: 25 Stearns Rd, #3 Brookline, Mass 02146 Tel-Work: 617-353-9484 Tel-Home:617-734-8828 Tel-FAX:617-353-7755