Why didn’t Cain throw his support behind the Fairtax, which already has research and supporters? Serious question.
Cain is still committed to the Fair Tax. 999 is phase I of his economic plan, is intended to be a temporary bridge to the Fair Tax.
The idea is to bring Fair Tax and Flat Tax proponents together, cut spending, and educate people on the Fair Tax so they will put pressure on Congress to pass it. It is hard for people to “get” how 23% consumption tax can work, but a 9% consumption tax will allow them to see how it can work.
[Why didn’t Cain throw his support behind the Fairtax, which already has research and supporters? Serious question.]
I think he was just looking for an attention grabbing gimmick to garner support. And the only reason it has worked so far is because it caught the others offguard. I’ve been listening to Cain’s radio show for years, and he has promoted the “Fair Tax”, but never once have I heard him discuss anything like this 999-Plan. It’s nothing more than a campaign diversion, designed to win a primary or two, but it will never fly in the generals.