Tax Systems (Sept. 16th )

In today's class, we carried on with our discussions and with creating our own government system. One controversial subject was tax. Never in my life had I ever thought about tax and conversed about it for so long. Mr.Paterson taught us about the difference between different tax-paying methods such as flat tax and progressive tax. He also suggested talking about business/sales tax, value-added tax (also known as luxury tax), and religious/charity-related organizations not having to pay tax. Much of what he talked about was systems I had not known of, especially value-added tax. Regarding this point of discussion, my friend said that if we were to create a country that stresses equity and does not neglect the poor, value-added tax may be the best option. At first, I had thought progressive tax is a system that considers people according to their status. However, people who do not have much money still need to buy necessities such as books, food, clothing and etc. Therefore, our group was convinced that value-added tax could be a better alternative. 

Then the talking point shifted to conservative and progressive governments. Japan is undoubtedly and very obviously on the conservative side. There are copious times I feel unsatisfied and mystify by the decisions and laws that are in place. I had always wondered why European countries are always so keen in changing contemporary society and why even the way adults think is so modern. Where in Japan, issues like LGBTQ+ and climate change are so unwelcome by older generations. As a young teenager, I think I personally have a rather progressive mindset and would hope my country to be similar in that way. Although being too progressive could inadvertently make matters worse, the change is needed. My group members had similar opinions as well. Notwithstanding, neglecting traditional and old ways of thinking is unacceptable. Living in a country like Japan where traditions, old cultures, and events/ceremonies in the past are extremely validated when creating our own country/culture this concept of keeping old things is hard to ignore. Also, it is pretty risky for the top of the country (leading government) to be too progressive. We were concerned as a group that if we go too far out, the citizens would struggle to keep up. Overall, having a progressive country sounds ideal but currently living in a conservative country makes it hard for us to imagine living in a progressive country and the fixed image we have towards such countries is hard for us to overcome. Additionally, one large realization I had was the reason some people believe in death penalties. On my half, killing culprits felt ethically wrong and I could never understand the opposing side. However, when it came down to creating a country and literally making the decisions for the future of each "citizen", I was able to open my eyes to a broader and more objective view. 

Notes: 

progressive - never settle for looking into the past, sometimes countries fail and inadvertently make it worse. continuously creating change, looking at the future. these cannot coexist. very accepting. creates a lot of cultural clashes dividing countries. older people are likely to be conservative. religious are likely to be conservative.  

situations are obviously changing, especially with technology. if the country's top is too progressive, 

business, sales tax - value-added tax also called luxury tax (kids clothing, books, and information)

The U.K. is complicated, some things are susceptible to this tax payment. people can choose. 

these religious rules are conservative, keep the things in the past, if it is the power they can even dictate the country? the religion with the most followers probably has the most money, and if the country is ruled under that it might be unfair. 

allow religions to interfere with the laws

when deciding whether or not to use the death penalty, space, a number of people

penalties differ based on their status, or just the end result, people will think it is ok to do a crime because they will not be killed conservative- does not change from the past, based on the situation in the past. but the rules do not change

Japan, whale catching, "because it is a culture" conservative based country