[samm1148]

Thanks; its about time someone exposed this thing. Not only that but wait till, if implemented, the government comes along and says: "Gee we still don't have enough money. So we'll keep the fair tax and reimpose the income tax as well."

The problem is spending. All Fairtax is about is substituting methadone for heroine for the tax and spend junkies.

[pigdog]

"The problem is spending."

Indeed, ONE problem is spending, but spending by itself accomplishes very little (and hasn't for almost 100 years now) and if spending were reduced it would vault right back up there since he pols can hide and play games with the reams and reams of arcane tax laws under the present system. It is the taxing system that must first be changed or reducing spending is hollow indeed.

I suggest you read the paper with understanding and realize that the income tax, its laws, its people (the IRS) and its records are ALL eliminated by the FairTax. With enough votes to pass the FairTax there will certainly be enough to retain it - especially as taxpayers realize how it reduces their effective tax rate.

In addition, the FairTax calls for the repeal of the 16th amendment. With the FairTax in place if we as voters let the government get by with the present out of control spending habits we deserve what will indeed happen.

[Always Right]

All Fairtax is about is substituting methadone for heroine for the tax and spend junkies.

A very good analogy. Never heard it put that way, but dead on. The #1 problem by far is most definitely runaway spending.

[Man50D]

The problem is spending. All Fairtax is about is substituting methadone for heroine for the tax and spend junkies.

No Tax system is designed to reduce spending although The Fair Tax will abolish the IRS and eliminate the billions spent to run it.

[ChildOfThe60s]

So we'll keep the fair tax and reimpose the income tax as well.

Right on!
Remember the Reagan tax cuts? We got lower rates in exchange for losing deductions. Later the rates go back up and the deductions are still gone. Unless we can cripple the government's ability to grow, these efforts are largely academic.

[Mom MD]

The problem is spending. All Fairtax is about is substituting methadone for heroine for the tax and spend junkies.

But at least everyone pays tax at the same rate. I am so tired of paying for myself and 15 or so of my closest friends. If everyone payed taxes at the rate I do, the tax revolution would start tomorrow.
But wait a minute - I'm stinking rich! I can afford it! /sarc

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Not only that but wait till, if implemented, the government comes along and says: "Gee we still don't have enough money. So we'll keep the fair tax and reimpose the income tax as well.

I had worried about the same thing...the 16th Amendment needs to be repealed first. But HR25 has language in it that makes the repeal of 16 a prerequisite for implementation of the NRST.

That being said, I still think this beast is a bad idea. The problem IS spending and that needs to be addressed first before putting Band-Aids on the tax code problem.

[sully777]

You have a point about tax rates...

We have a state Point of Sales (POS) tax that allows for counties and cities to add to the state's base tax rate. At this point in time, our Democrat run county has a sales tax of 9.75 % on all taxable items excluding services and gasoline.

The rate was raised to this level after a ballot initiative which seemed to indicate that you were voting for a tax hike if you voted either way. I have a degree in English and stood there in the voting booth examining the initiative with a diagram. I was befuddled.

The upside to ballot initiatives is that the tax dies. However, much money is poured into campaigns to renew the taxes.