Article link: http://www.smallgovtimes.com/story/07may02.fair.tax/

Post your comments

#5 - From mhill on 2007-05-03
This message is in reply to post #4

Mark McG,

Your concerns about the 16th Amendment are shared, believe me. That's why I included the blurb about not only identifying the sponsors of the Fair Tax Act, but keeping track of them and all other actions in Congress to try and safeguard against the very concern you raise.

I am all about making Congress squirm and flee from the light. That's why I want the fact out there that this bill is in both houses, what it is, why it is a great thing for we, The People, and if it should fail to pass or become another way for Congress to shake us down, who pulled the levers and why did they?

I want them all held to account on this. Every single last one of the 535 members of Congress needs to answer on this bill.

Michael Hill

Reply to this post | Report this post as spam/abuse

#4 - From Mark McG on 2007-05-03
The most valid opposition that I have heard is that the FairTax does not GUARANTEE that we will not have both a sales tax AND an income tax.

While it is true that the bill does initially get rid of income tax, estate/gift taxes, payroll tax, etc. There is no contingency that the 16th Amendment must be repealed. If we get the FairTax in place but do not quickly repeal the 16th Amendment, there is nothing stopping Congress from enacting a new "emergency" income tax, and then just forgetting to get rid of it...again.

If we can get the sponsors to word the bill in such a way as to put the FairTax into place within a certain time after we repeal the 16th Amendment, I think a whole lot more people would be onboard.

Great article, by the way.

Reply to this post | Report this post as spam/abuse

#3 - From Ken Howe on 2007-05-03
Great story Michael and it is very topical, Few people seem to address why the few doubters come up with the silliness they spout. Those who are simply ignorant may be excused but those who intentionally ( the Presidents panel on tax reform comes to mind)re-write the FairTax in order to make it appear worthless are doing a vast dis-service to the citizens of this great country. Keep up the excelent work.

Reply to this post | Report this post as spam/abuse

#2 - From BIll on 2007-05-03
Other than ignorance, the answer to who would oppose it boils down to the age-old maxim - follow the money. Who loses money or power if the Fair Tax is implemented? Members of Congress lose power to manipulate the society/economy through tax legislation and lose potential campaign contributions from groups seeking favorable tax treatment. Lobbyists lose a big part of their reason to exist from representing those groups. Accountants who prepare personal income tax returns lose that part of their business as well as anyone else who gains income through tax compliance issues - lawyers, IRS auditors, etc. Even the National Association of Realtors would oppose it on the basis that one of the stated benefits of home ownership is the deduction of 1st mortgage interest from gross income.

Basically, anyone who gains from getting or seeking an edge through manipulating the tax code or in complying with it would be opposed.

Who should support it? ALL of the rest of us who pay Federal income taxes, as well as anyone whose income is below the minimum taxable amount (they get a monthly rebate).

Reply to this post | Report this post as spam/abuse

#1 - From Jeffrey on 2007-05-03
Great article Michael. You ask an important question that all our elected representatives need to answer.

Reply to this post | Report this post as spam/abuse