Yes, Candidates, Word Choice Matters

A common refrain of some of the presidential candidates is that the wealthy do not pay “their fair share” of taxes. While it is pretty clear that this means the wealthy should pay “more,” what isn’t clear is how much more would be considered “fair.” What is also not clear is whether the use of the word “fair” is in fact fair. Let’s try to be fact-based, rational, and “fair.”

First, an examination of the facts. While it is not clear what most candidates mean by “wealthy,” let’s assume that they mean the one percenters, who seem to be the usual targets. According to 2016 data provided by the IRS, the top 1% of taxpayers reported 19.7% of all income and paid 37.3% of all federal income taxes. This was more than the bottom 90% combined (30.5%). Furthermore, with respect to rates, the top 1% paid federal taxes at an average rate of 26.9% of their income, while the bottom 90% paid a rate of 17%. To summarize the obvious, the small “wealthy” population pays more in total taxes and pays them at a higher rate than does the least wealthy 90% of the population. If this is not considered “fair,” one wonders what is.

This is not to say that the wealthy could not pay more. When asked, many of them agree that they could and would pay more. When you consider the emerging cost of fighting climate change, addressing gaps in US education and infrastructure, the growing national debt, and the coming shortfall in Social Security funding, it seems likely and appropriate that we ask the wealthy to pay more. Not because it is “fair,” but because they can afford to.

You may be wondering, why is this important? Is it a distinction without a difference? Arguably, it is not only an important distinction, it also represents word choice that unnecessarily alienates wealthy people from the Democratic Party. Why? Simple human nature.

Imagine that you run a nonprofit. You ask the wealthy to support you because they are the ones who can. And they do. Now, imagine the outcome if you began your pitch by arguing that your prospects are not being fair—that they are not donating their “fair share.”

The Democratic candidates should continue to identify problems that need additional tax revenue to address, and reasonably ask those who can most afford it to help—not because it is fair, but because they can. Criticizing, castigating, and demagogically claiming that the wealthy are not playing “fair” is not the right place to start. Even in this highly polarized environment, you still catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.