I feel that the use of "earned income" and "refund" in our tax code is inaccurate. In 2012 I paid over $20,000 in taxes (and I am fine with paying my share). During the same time period I know of, let’s say 3, individuals that paid less than $1,000 (their fair share). The problem comes when they apply their "earned income" to their "refund" and each get $9,000 back in taxes. A refund implies that you paid it in the first place THEY DID NOT. “Earned income” implies you that you worked to earn it THEY DID NOT.
If we closed these "loop holes" and kept this money in the hands of the people who EARNED it rather than give handouts to people that are better at taxes than I, the trickle down affect would work from the correct direction.
Modify the tax code to stop acting as welfare.