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Economics

What Ben Carson's Flat Tax Would Do to the Poor

The Republican presidential candidate says lower tax rates for lower incomes are “very condescending” to the poor.
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Ben Carson, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, speaks during the Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.

Ben Carson, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, speaks during the Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.

 Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson told Fox News Sunday that it's "very condescending" to poor people to tax them at lower rates than rich people. He called for a flat tax along the lines of a biblical tithe, in which rich and poor alike pay a tenth or so of their income in taxes. 

"Now, some people say it's not fair because, you know, the poor people can't afford to pay that dollar," Carson told host Chris Wallace. "That's very condescending. You know, I grew up very poor. I’ve experienced every economic level. And I can tell you that poor people have pride, too. And they don't want to be just taken care of," Carson said.