Posted on 08/10/2004 7:08:18 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
NICEVILLE, Fla. (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) said on Tuesday that abolishing the U.S. income tax system and replacing it with a national sales tax was an idea worth considering.
"It's an interesting idea," Bush told an "Ask President Bush" campaign forum here. "You know, I'm not exactly sure how big the national sales tax is going to have to be, but it's the kind of interesting idea that we ought to explore seriously."
Republican economists who speak regularly to the White House have said that the Bush campaign has been mulling the idea of an overhaul of the tax code as part of an agenda for a second term should Bush win reelection.
Some lawmakers have floated ideas of simplifying the tax code by putting in place a "flat" income tax rate or a national sales tax. But those ideas have so far not gained much traction in Congress. Opponents say such a system would not be in the best interests of the poor and the middle class who would pay the same tax rate as the wealthy even though they have less disposable income.
It would be too easy for Dems to grandfather socialist plans into a national sales tax.
I think a Flat Tax may be able to prevent that more.
Is this a "we'll see" answer?
PRAISE THE LORD.
Now the President is getting votes. Do away with the IRS. No flat tax. National sales tax is the way to go. Even the illegals we have to support would have to pay a little.
A national sales tax would be the death of the tax-free internet and it would usher in state sales taxes being assessed on out of state purchases. Once the federal government established the national sales tax architecture, the states would be able to piggyback quickly.
Thanks for posting this.
I've thought of the same thing. What if the Congress decides to "compromise" and let us pay both national sales tax and income tax under guise we have to phase it in.
Exactly.. we need something like a Prop 2 1/2 applied to income - with a electoral override needed to change it
Oh, please please please please please!!!
I will feel like I have fought and won a battle for my kids. That we made a better America. A VRWC legacy.
Plus, I have a co-worker who said he would vote for Bush rather than Kerry over this single issue! I am going to e-mail this right now!
"National Sales Tax Worth Considering "
Be careful - it may be in addition to...
I smell "Trial balloon" and the AA fire and flak is already zeroing in... ;-]
he has to be crazy to talk about this. most people will think that there will be both the federal income tax AND a new national federal sales tax.
why doesn't he just talk 100% of the time on how weak a leader Kerry would be in the war on terror. does anyone on the WH political team have a clue as to what will win or lose this election?
Simplifying the tax code is a good idea. A new form of taxation may not do that. Remember that many of the politicians in Washington have a criminal mind (lots of lawyers). They will do whatever they can to turn a new tax into more money for them and their buddies.
There goes the neighborhood. It'll be a phased plan.
First they'll add the national sales tax and slightly lower the income tax to offset it.
Second phase, they'll start raising both of them again.
Folks this won't change the fact we are over a barrel. It will just change the color of the barrel we are over.
Perchance to dream.
But seriously. The tax industry and all that entails is a very powerful lobby that would pull out all the stops to keep this or any other form of tax reform from happening.
"does anyone on the WH political team have a clue as to what will win or lose this election?"
Perhaps a worthwhile four year track record?
on the issue of a national sales tax? there is none. this is not going to be an issue that helps Bush get elected, introduced 90 days before the election.
Please, no national sales tax. It will do only bad things. It will discourage spending, it will annoy the taxpayer who will be constantly remineded that there is a 17% tax on their purchases, it will make the poor think that the pubbies don't want to tax the rich, the dems will see it as too effective of a fundraiser, the dems will raise it and manipulate it, we will have the sales tax and all the other taxes, the states will piggyback, it is madness.
Exactly, *any* incumbent who has been in the job for 4 years, and then on the eve of a re-election bid says he will lead the people to lemonade springs and the rock candy mountains if only they will re-elect him won't pass the laugh test. "If it is so good why have you not done in in the last 4 years" even the dimmest will ask.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.