Milton Friedman: Taxes Someone Else Pays
on Friday, April 1, 2016Milton Friedman Money Quote saying congress can only increase taxes when a minority believes it will affect them personally. Milton Friedman said:
“Congress can raise taxes because it can persuade a sizable fraction of the populace that somebody else will pay” — Milton Friedman
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Milton Friedman is commenting on how Congress is able to raise taxes despite public opposition. He suggests that Congress can enact higher taxes because they are able to convince some people that the tax increases will mainly impact “somebody else”, not themselves.
Friedman implies that many taxpayers support raising levies as long as they think other taxpayers or groups will shoulder most of the burden.
The quote conveys Friedman’s view that Congress exploits this “somebody else” mindset to pass tax hikes that are actually broadly felt. He seems to be criticizing how politicians downplay the widespread impacts of taxation for political gain.
Birthday: July 31, 1912 Death: November 16, 2006