[ziravan]

Texas' economic miracle is based on a de facto Fair Tax: its main tax is sales tax with no income tax. A chief draw for business is low regulation and no income tax.

If we want to bring Texas' miracle national, the vehicle to do so is a consumption tax, just like Texas uses.

[avacado]

"A consumption tax... It is the least progressive tax ..."

Just to be clear, there is nothing "least progressive" about a consumption tax. It's a regressive tax.

[Elendur]

Herman Cain explaining the FairTax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lMmEhffs3k&feature=player_embedded

Phase 2 of Cain’s 999 plan: The FairTax!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2791979/posts?page=1

[taxcontrol]

At current spending levels, 9-9-9 needs to be more like 15-15-15. We need to cut spending ... drasticly. Not saying a change in the tax code is not due. Just pointing out that our current problem is caused by spending.

[greeneyes]

As long as the income tax exists, politicians can always drum up support to tax the rich. Consumption tax has a some definite benefits, but it is a no go for me until the amendment allowing the income tax is repealed.

A sales tax is also regressive, and I am not in favor of taxing necessities such as food, housing, and medical supplies.

[rockrr]

Two words: “Empowerment Zones”

[factoryrat]

While various tax schemes may work at the state and local levels, any attempts to change the tax codes at the federal level will be met with vicious resistance. As long as people can game, cheat, exploit, and profit from our current “progressive” tax code, nothing will change. As an example, I asked a person I worked with, who prepared tax returns part time, what he thought about a flat tax, or the fair tax concept. His reaction was predictable; He went ballistic on me about how much that would ruin so many accountants and tax industry people.

The point too many people have a lot at stake by maintaining the status quo, so any suggestion of stopping their gravy train will be met with fierce resistance at best, ruin at worst.