reverenceofme

Consider the following:

We have a gov't where every individual is given the exact same rights & privileges.

Everyone has equal access to the things the gov't supports, including protection by the military/ police, roads, bridges, sewage systems, public libraries & schools. No one is prevented from using their share.

Now, a taxation system has to be created to pay for the above. In order to support the programs and infrastructure, the gov't needs an average of $1k in taxes per adult citizen.

The following ideas are presented:

A. Every single adult citizen is taxed the exact same amount: $1k.

B. Taxes are assessed depending on income or possession of property, so that bottom third pays nothing, the middle third pays $1k, and the top third pays $2k.

C. There is a new sales tax imposed on items not necessary for survival, including new clothing, electronics, furniture, jewelry, etc. The tax pulls in an average of $1k per adult citizen.

Which is most fair? Why?

Consider the following:

We have a gov't where every individual is given the exact same rights & privileges.

Everyone has equal access to the things the gov't supports, including protection by the military/ police, roads, bridges, sewage systems, public libraries & schools. No one is prevented from using their share.

Now, a taxation system has to be created to pay for the above. In order to support the programs and infrastructure, the gov't needs an average of $1k in taxes per adult citizen.

The following ideas are presented:

A. Every single adult citizen is taxed the exact same amount: $1k.

B. Taxes are assessed depending on income or possession of property, so that bottom third pays nothing, the middle third pays $1k, and the top third pays $2k.

C. There is a new sales tax imposed on items not necessary for survival, including new clothing, electronics, furniture, jewelry, etc. The tax pulls in an average of $1k per adult citizen.

Which is most fair? Why?

If you were labeled as gifted, do you recall how you were labeled? Were you gifted in all areas or only one?

Did you take special classes in elementary/ middle school, and did you eventually prove to be "gifted" in some way (high scores on ACT/ SAT, entrance into highly selective programs/ schools, great achievement in life)?

Is the label used too often? Do you know of children who are identified as gifted that are merely average? Is it bad for an average child to be identified incorrectly as gifted?

I would love to hear your opinions on gifted programs, the identification of gifted children, your own experiences, etc.

I want a general sense of how certain people are, with regards to their personal beliefs involving deities and religion.

If you could give a short statement as to why you are or are not certain, that would also be interesting.

Or, could you give a reason why someone with a different belief than you could be just as certain?

I am an American, and although my country has had a few wars in which there was no clear winner (War of 1812, Vietnam), we have had no wars in which we admitted defeat. How do teachers in other countries teach about wars that country has lost? Are the reasons examined, the causes and effects, or due to nationalistic tendencies, are these wars not focused on? Is more attention paid to the wars a country won rather than the wars a country lost? I would love to hear from a German person here, but any others would be great. Thanks!