[Introduction]
What happens when societies let rich people wink at the tax collector? Our latest object lesson comes from Northern Virginia’s Fairfax County, the second richest county in the United States. In this county's wealthiest community, Great Falls, over half the households make $250,000 or more a year.
But public schools in Fairfax, despite that wealth, are struggling financially. Last year, the county school system started charging students who want to play school sports — $100 per kid per team. Exemptions only go to kids who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. A single mom with two kids and any income over $34,281 income can have to pay as much as $400 extra per year.
Think that’s inexcusable? Next door to Fairfax sits America's richest county. Schools in this political jurisdiction, Loudoun County, also have a sports fee — and no program at all to help the as many as 700 unenrolled homeless and “precariously housed” children who live within the county's borders.
America's second-richest man has had enough. Last week, in a widely publicized op-ed, Warren Buffett urged higher tax rates on America’s wealthy. The Wall Street Journal, in response, advised Buffett to “go back to his day job.” This week's Too Much has more on Warren Buffett — and the abuse heaped upon him.
[Read the exciting numbers and more at Too Much Online]
Also don't miss the eye-opening latest info-graphic from Fair Economy.
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