[Man50D]

For all we know, you are hired guns, possibly working at a LIEberal/Socialist/Marxist “think tank” (you may even be GASP!, IRS employees!), whose job description contains the phrase “do whatever you can to keep the FairTax FRom becoming law of the land” or words to that effect.

It does make you wonder considering they can't answer groanup's very simple and straightforward questions in post #62.

1. Why do you feel that maintaining the income tax is better for America than adopting the FairTax?

2. What are the main drawbacks of the FairTax? You have only pointed out the the income tax is the "devil we know".

3. 75 80 economists have written and signed a letter to the President and Congress endorsing the FairTax. What economists have lined up against it?

[xcamel]

1) No one with serious questions regarding the FT seriously advocates "maintaining" the income tax, whatever "maintaining" is supposed to mean. (basic non-sequitur)

2) Simple enough: The FT is being sold using half truths, and emotionalism, by a talk show host and a one trick pony politician. Not one single speck of proof has been tendered, Not one real world example cited, It ignores what has been successful in many other countries around the world in the last 50 years (some longer), It ignores the socioeconomic impact of "radical change", It ignores history, and the governments abysmal record of turning "populism" into unmitigated disasters, and generally, "what does not solve the problem, is not a solution".

3) A presidential panel, many economists, many state sales tax departments, political scientists, and sociologists, have come out opposed to the FT, only to be shouted down, berated, and insulted by "high ranking" members of the "FT movement", whereas the reverse has not been true. This should tell any thinking person all they need to know about rage-fueled "populist" ideas, and why they should be avoided like the plague.

"Taxes should be uncomfortable. Not especially painful, mind you -- just a bit irritating. Enough to make you pay attention. Modest discomfort is an element of citizenship, reminding voters of the price they pay for civilized society."

(thank you, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Associate Justice, US Supreme Court )

/waits for the usual assault