Letters

Armenia Needs A Fair Tax, Not A Flat Tax

Armenians still feel the euphoria of the Velvet Revolution, but the time for hard work has begun. The restructuring of the tax code is crucial for economic fairness and growth. High income individuals, large corporations, monopolies and oligopolies have to pay their fair share. As such, a flat tax is not the answer. Simply put, a flat tax system benefits large companies and the rich. These entities are well-positioned to pay their fair share of taxes, but they argue that because they are the

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Judith Saryan

Judith Saryan was born in Delaware and graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts with a major in economics. She spent her career in the financial industry, most recently at Eaton Vance Management, where she was vice president and portfolio manager. Saryan left her successful career in order to pursue her passion for literature and history. For her first project, she worked with the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) to showcase the work of newly translated Ottoman Armenian author, Zabel Yessayan.

7 Comments

  1. Comrade Saryan has allowed whatever economics education she possesses to become befuddled by her Socialist emotions AND she does not believe in the US Constitution.

    In our common undertaking (Republic), taxation is a means of allocating the cost of a VERY limited fed gov among all citizens who can vote, based upon each persons relative impact of the total cost (as it would be in any similar “cooperative”). While that would mean equal dollar income taxes, a flat (single rate, no Standard deduction) tax is a practical alternative.

    Our Republic cannot stand if 10 people can vote but ony 2 pay any income tax.

    Our current income tax progressivity is a result of Marxism’s gradual erosion of the American mentality. Comrade Saryan reads from the Communist Manifesto which declared a vefry progressive income tax (along with Karl Marx’s “from each according to his means, to each according to his needs”)

    1. Uhm, what’s the US constitution got to do with anything? I mean, beyond all the non-argument and inaccurate statements you’re making, not to mention the over-done “socialist-baiting” (psst, socialist is not a curse word), this article is about Armenia and Armenian economics and Armenian taxes. As much as the US likes to act like the ruler of the world, the US constitution and the “American mentality” (which means what exactly? The mentality of colonialism and aggressive capitalism at all costs?) is entirely irrelevant.

    2. TJ,

      While I admit that I overlooked the fact that Ms Saryan wants this Socialist nonsense for Armenia, rather than for America, the substance of what I wrote is equally important to Armenia.

      Why would you impose Socialist nonsense on Armenia? What do you have against Armenia?

      Yes, Socialism IS a curse! If you had any real knowledge of Socialism, you would know that.

      Anyone with intelligence understands that “just a little Sociialism” always progresses to fatal Socialism. That is its nature.

      I challenge you to prove a single “inaccurate” statement that suppossedly made , according to YOU.

      the true American “mentality” (which I did not exprfessly state) is very small fed gov, maximum individual liberty and responsibility (the fed gov does not steal “from each according to his means” and redistribute “to each according to his needs” (said Karl Marx).

      Again, why do you hate Armenia?

  2. Mrs. Saryan seems to be confusing corporate and personal income tax. She routinely switches between the two when making her case.

    The original flat tax proposal mostly pertains to the elimination of personal income tax brackets. This letter does little to dispute any of the arguments (that a flat tax would reduce corruption. stimulate economic activity, and encourage worker productivity) – put forward in last week’s “In defense of the flat tax” op-ed, (which I assume this is meant to be a response to)

  3. When you say Armenia needs a “fair tax”, I agree with you: a flat tax IS a fair tax: what’s unfair is punishing people for being productive and successful. So why you think you or anyone else has right to share wealth generated by those who produce in our country? Enough talking. Armenia needs favorable economic conditions to grow! Come to Armenia and start business. Create something with your hands and hire people. If u want to give good salary, you’ll understand why the current tax hurts us.

  4. TJ,

    I must admit that I misread that she was not talking about America.

    Psst, “Socialism” IS a curse word. Anyone who can read understands that even just a little Socialism always progressive until the country is destoyed (or until sociaalism is overthrown).

    However, what does she (and you) have against Armenia. She proposes progressive taxation (specified in the Communist Manifesto) and in keeping with Karl Marx’s “from each according to his means, to each according to his needs.” One who supports such Socialist nonsense hates the people of Armenia.

    Please try to express a single “inaccurate” statemnet that you claim I made, and what you consider to be my “non-argument.

    I am not arguing for the US to be “ruler of the world.”

    By “American mentaloity” I meant, its constitutional form of govt; verfy small fed gov doing opnly a limited number of things, most power in its people, our rightsa coming from g-d not from govt, etc.

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