This was years ago, I think during the early [Ronald]…
![“This was years ago, I think during the early [Ronald] Reagan years. I came up with a plan that everybody just pay $8.95 in taxes. Cheating would be allowed. But the incentive to cheat wouldn't be nearly as great if you only had to pay the $8.95. There were a few people who would have to pay…” quote by Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/c7c/dave-barry-222_bills_this-was-years-ago-i-think-during-the-ea_1154458.png)
“This was years ago, I think during the early [Ronald] Reagan years. I came up with a plan that everybody just pay $8.95 in taxes. Cheating would be allowed. But the incentive to cheat wouldn't be nearly as great if you only had to pay the $8.95. There were a few people who would have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars under this plan. I think it was Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, the guys who do the quiz shows. But almost everybody else would be off really cheap.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A hypothetical low tax rate would invite cheating, but the incentive to cheat would be reduced if taxes were minimal.
In simple terms: Low taxes may lower cheating motives, but still allow abuse.
Key Takeaway
Consider fairness and enforcement when designing tax policy.
Themes
economics
ethics
policy
satire
Mood
humorous
critical
Type
satirical
analytical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- tax reform debates
- public perception
- policy design
Key Concepts
incentive structures
public finance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can tax systems balance simplicity and fairness?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of low rates?
A Different Perspective
Even low rates can be exploited without proper oversight.