[SCALEMAN]

Why do these threads degenerate into a 30% vs 23% argument? Can't we discuss the relative merits or downside of this proposal?

[Your Nightmare]

Why do these threads degenerate into a 30% vs 23% argument? Can't we discuss the relative merits or downside of this proposal?

Because the merits or downsides are different if the rate (tax exclusive) is 23% or 29.87%.

[robertpaulsen]

A hot item after passage of the NRST: A tax exempt certificate.

As a self-employed businessman, your company purchases are tax exempt. This used to mean that you didn't have to pay that nasty old 6% state sales tax.

Now it means you don't have to pay that 36% "sales" tax. You can save 36% on that second "business" computer, and additional "business" couch, etc. by just presenting your certificate.

Don't worry about the retailer checking real close. He makes the same amount of profit whether that certificate is real or not and, quite frankly, would rather not know.

And, since the massive IRS is gone, who's going to check every little retailer?

I expect the number of small businesses to increase tenfold.

[jonestown]

SCALEMAN wrote:

Why do these threads degenerate into a 30% vs 23% argument? Can't we discuss the relative merits or downside of this proposal?

---

Exactly.

The Fair Tax idea is sound, even though the written proposal is flawed in some specifics.

Catch 22. Zealotry blinds those who myopically focus on nitpicking details.
-- Or, -- those who have a vested interest in our current tax nightmare.

[phil_will1]

"Why do these threads degenerate into a 30% vs 23% argument? Can't we discuss the relative merits or downside of this proposal?"

That isn't an accident, Scaleman. The guardians of the status quo LOVE to avoid more substantive discussion, for obvious reasons.