<...Chief among these is that those with less money use the power of government--taxation--to transfer wealth to themselves from those with more money.

No. I meant exactly what I said: the forced transfer of wealth from producers to non-producers. Whether you are rich or poor often has little to do with this. There are many corporations with lobbies in Washington that fall into the non-producer category, while the poorest taxpaying worker at McDonalds, who receives no welfare, is a producer.

Now for the rest:

Assuming we are still kicking around the vote qualification idea that I floated--which may not be the best way to do it--then you're aren't paying attention: I was proposing additional voting power based on taxes paid. Not wealth, inherited or otherwise. Not real estate. Not assets. Not taxes assessed and then eliminated by deductions and loopholes. Taxes PAID.

Aren't liberals constantly screaming about how corporations and the evil rich pay little or no taxes? No taxes, no extra power. Or maybe you admit that the rich do pay most of the taxes in this country, in which case you may be onto something.

Sorry, but I think you wasted a whole diatribe. ;)

Anyway, I think we've taken this concept to the limit. I said at first that it was only one of several ideas. I floated Heinlein's concept too, and you mentioned tests. The idea was to see if there was a legitimate way to improve the general voting body of this country. I think we both agree that there is no easy answer.

In any case, the "votes for taxes" idea would probably hit a brick wall right away. Note the 24th Amendment to the Constitution, which says:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.

I think this could easily be interpreted to say that no one could be denied a vote because he pays no income tax.

By the way, got my $600 back today. That's $600 more than Al Gore would have given me. And I voted the Republican ticket long before that tax cut was passed.

(For the record, Rush is not on Saturdays. Noon to 3, weekdays, Eastern time. Check your local listings, or here.) ;)