It’s been less than 24 hours since the NFL Draft began, and football buzz is heating up. That means it’s time to start talking about tax reform.
you read that correctly.
The former Packers left tackle posted a solution to the country’s tax problem on X Wednesday. His solution? It is a flat tax.
“I want a flat tax rate for everyone,” the former Pro Bowler wrote. “And there are no loopholes. Simple and effective. Don’t try to make a fuss about this. It makes sense. Make more money, pay more taxes. Less money means less taxes. .”
I want a uniform tax rate for all citizens. And there are no loopholes. Simple and effective.
Don’t try to make a fuss out of this. That makes sense. Earn more money and pay more taxes. If you have less money, your taxes will also decrease. https://t.co/BGnyka8IyG
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) April 24, 2024
As you can imagine, this post sparked a lot of discussion.
The problem is. Rich people would never allow this…
— Old Gravy (@moejeyer5) April 24, 2024
Relative to income, a 20% flat tax would hit low-income earners harder than high-income earners.
— FirmButSoft (@FirmButSoft) April 24, 2024
This is actually terrible policy. It disproportionately affects the poor. 🏻♂️
— Upton (@Upton_4) April 24, 2024
No income tax is payable. Just a consumption tax. If you buy something good, you will be taxed.simple
— Caleb Maier (@CalebMaier1) April 24, 2024
However, 20% (assuming a base tax of 20) has a much bigger impact on a single mother with two children than on Jeff Bezos.
Unfortunately, taxes are complex and need to be done to be fair.
That being said, the U.S. tax system is…quite a bit.
— Ivan Breytenbach (@IvanBreytenbach) April 24, 2024
Before posting about his support for a flat tax, Bakhtiari responded to a post about Joe Biden’s plan to raise capital gains taxes to an all-time high.
https://t.co/04BolUwSZi pic.twitter.com/91cqDJYDsI
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) April 24, 2024
Flat taxes have been debated with varying degrees of seriousness over the years. In the 1990s, Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes and then-House Majority Leader Dick Armey advocated forcefully.
David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers watches the NFL game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 9, 2022 in London, England. (Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
But while the idea’s proponents tend to be enthusiastic, the proposal has rarely, if ever, gained support from a majority of Americans.
Even among Republicans, where support for a flat tax is greatest, recent polls show that only a plurality, not a majority, supports the idea.
Bakhtiari is currently a free agent. The longtime Packer has recently been mentioned as a free agent candidate by the Jets and Chiefs.
