In the given statement, Rick Santorum describes a situation where high tax rates were set but many people found ways to avoid paying them. This often led to numerous exemptions and exclusions that allowed individuals or corporations to pay less than what was originally intended by those rates.
Beyond its literal meaning, Santorum’s quote touches on broader issues of fairness in taxation and public trust. When the majority perceives a tax system as unfair because some individuals or groups manage to avoid paying their share while others are unable to do so, it can lead to widespread dissatisfaction and resentment. The sentiment expressed suggests that setting lower but more universally applied tax rates might create a sense of equity and compliance among taxpayers, thereby fostering greater public trust in the government's fiscal policies.
Rick Santorum is an American politician who has been involved in Republican Party politics for decades. He served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania before his unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2012 and again in 2016. Known for his conservative views, Santorum often speaks about economic issues such as taxation from a perspective that emphasizes fairness and accountability among all citizens.