How to stop exporting jobs {Henry Lamb}

WorldNetDaily / Commentary ^ | Posted: February 14, 2004 | Henry Lamb

[A. Pole]

It's really quite simple. To stop the outflow of American jobs, all that is required is to: repeal the minimum wage law, [...]

Or better yet - cancel all "free" trade treaties, withdraw from WTO, abolish OPIC etc ... Then the American wages will be above minimum,

[George Frm Br00klyn Park]

"The number one thing we can do to help alleviate the problem is to repeal the Income Tax!!"

Jim, I would say to eliminate any and ALL "progressive" aspects of the income tax and eliminate any and ALL deductions and exemptions for social "benefit". One rate, NO deductions, NO exemptions. We could then elminate ALL other forms of taxation, including "user" fees for "public" property access, and especially the rent paid to Governments called property tax. But, the big bhoys ain't going to go along with this most equitable form of taxation. Especially BIG business which has just been given a tax break for people who invest in the fixed game called "The Market" {BIG Business}. People don't give preferential treatment up easily, and BIG Business can {and does} buy a LOT of politicians. Sorry, but, IMHO, on the subject of taxes, "free" trade, and economic socialism, I believe you have been brainwashed. And, I wish I knew, by who. Any and all deductions and/or exemptions from any tax system are designed as social engineering. As is the "progressive" aspect of the income tax. Peace and love, George.

[Jim Robinson]

Well, the way I see it, taxes on income directly adds to the overall costs of all products produced and services provided and makes us less productive and less competitive in the free markets. It's hard enough as it is to compete with cheap, unregulated, unburdened labor overseas. Why add to our own burden?

Why not eliminate the crippling tax on productive assets and resources and levy the tax at the point of purchase? Kinda like an excise tax as the founders intended. One way or another, the consumer pays all taxes anyway.

Eliminating the income tax would significantly reduce the cost of each and every product manufactured domestically as well as transfer a portion of the tax burden to the producers/suppliers of imported products/services as they are sold in the U.S., thus leveling off some of the advantages of cheap offshore labor.

Additional benefits of replacing the income tax with an excise tax would be eliminating excuses for government snooping into our personal affairs and papers and also that the consumer would have a better chance of timing his major tax payments vs investing a larger portion of his pre-tax dollars and reaping the rewards of tax free investment gains.

[Jim Robinson]

And I meant to also say that eliminating the income tax and other regulatory government burden components from the cost of our manufactured goods and even from agricultural produce and raw goods will automatically make them less costly and more competitive as exports.

[George Frm Br00klyn Park]

"..taxes on income directly adds to the overall costs of all products produced"

Jim, If the products are bought, so do sales taxes {excise, tariff, "user fees", etc}. And the hardest hit are low and middle income. It's like the guys sitting in their dens and discussing raising the tea tax while drinking their high dollar booze. Eliminating all deductions and/or exemptions, and the progressive part of the income tax would also reduce paperwork. Probably to about the same point as sales tax would produce. But, tax lawyers, accountants, and a lot of other high dollar folks jobs would be unnecessary, so it is unlikely to see either.

The only good arguement for eliminating the income tax is, "The government has no business knowing how much money a person makes." But, IMHO, government will know anyway with current and coming technology, and the benefits of the income tax over all other forms of taxation override this IMO.

Everybody would have the same incentive to keep the tax rate low, especially those with the wherewithal to bring the rate down. High dollar earners. If I make 40 grand a year, and win the lottery, I would still pay the same percentage rather than the higher levy for higher wages.

People with real money don't worry about paying sales taxes. while they would {and do} fret over high income taxes. While the low and middle income folks worry about both. And, the sales tax that would be required to "replace the money already coming in." would be debillitating to many. Especially those just starting out and needingto buy everything.

Even the churches figured out over the centuries that the most equitable tax is based on income. There is no such thing as a "good" or "fair" tax. A flat tax based on income with no deductions and/or exemptions if the best of evils. Peace and love, George.