[lewislynn]

Then they will want to use the enactment of such a tax to make it easy to increase the sales tax rate at will.

You're more right than you know. It's already in their bill.

Here it is:

`(d) OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE RATE- The old-age, survivors and disability insurance rate shall be determined by the Social Security Administration. The old-age, survivors and disability insurance rate shall be that sales tax rate which is necessary to raise the same amount of revenue that would have been raised by imposing a 12.4 percent tax on the Social Security wage base (including self-employment income)as determined in accordance with chapter 21 of the Internal Revenue Code most recently in effect prior to the enactment of this Act. The rate shall be determined using actuarially sound methodology and announced at least 6 months prior to the beginning of the Calendar year for which it applies.

`(e) HOSPITAL INSURANCE RATE- The hospital insurance rate shall be determined by the Social Security Administration. The hospital insurance rate shall be that sales tax rate which is necessary to raise the same amount of revenue that would have been raised by imposing a 2.9 percent tax on the Medicare wage base (including self-employment income) as determined in accordance with chapter 21 of the Internal Revenue Code most recently in effect prior to the enactment of this Act. The rate shall be determined using actuarially sound methodology and announced at least 6 months prior to the beginning of the calendar year for which it applies.

`(f) ASSISTANCE- The Secretary shall provide such technical assistance as the Social Security Administration shall require to determine the old-age, survivors and disability insurance rate and the hospital insurance rate.

[Principled]

HA HAH HA you're posing stuff you used to post 3 years ago.

The bill raises enough revenue to pay SS benefits and collect the general revenue. But you knew that.

The rubber meets the road where pols have to vote or not to raise or decrease the rate. The rate which is applied evenly to ALL individuals regardless of income level.

Illegals will have to pay it (only legal residents with SSNs get the rebate). Tourists will have to pay it. Imported goods will have to pay it. OTOH our exporst will leave our shores withOUT tax costs - making them 25% cheaper overseas.

The portion you posted only guarantees that the SS benefits of retirees will be paid.