But its not, I don't think taxes are immoral but I do think some are better in principle than others, and I think taxing consumption rather tan production is one such choice.
I DO think that it's immoral that government at all levels exceeds 1/3 of our economy.
Common ground is nice..
But as I've said before, to me, re-distributing how you collect it is nothing more than playing musical chairs, or rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.
I can agree to that, I don't think the NSRT and the amount the government spends (except on the IRS) are connected. I do think that when a tax hike on a national sales tax is proposed dems wont be able to play the 'we only want to tax the rich' card...
That this would be passed into law and take effect without the repeal of the 16th amendment is highly repugnant.
That sounds like a moral principle..
Dear N3WBI3,
"I do think some are better in principle than others, and I think taxing consumption rather tan production is one such choice...."
Well, I'm not sure. As well, at current levels of taxation, I think both are harmful.
"I do think that when a tax hike on a national sales tax is proposed dems wont be able to play the 'we only want to tax the rich' card..."
Oh, heck, that'll be easy to do for them.
"We want to only increase the NSRT on DECADENT LUXURY CARS costing OVER $50,000. We want to only increase the NSRT on MASSIVE LUXURY MANSIONS that cost over $500,000!"
Or, "We're going to raise the rate on cars, boats, and houses, but LOWER IT on FOOD and RENT!! To help the POOR!"
Or, "We're going to raise the rate on tuxedos, but lower it on Stride-Rites. It's fer the CHILRUN."
Gee, I could sit here all day and crank these out. After eight years of Mr. Clinton, it's just too easy.
Remember that it was a REPUBLICAN president who introduced a federal excise tax on luxury cars and boats.
Also remember, 20% of the American economy is a lot of money. Just because we change the method of collecting it doesn't mean that the flies and ants and wasps and other critters aren't going to stop coming to get their bit of the honey. The lobbyists will not stop coming to Washington. And there are plenty of stupid congresscritters, much more than a simple majority, who will vote to tinker with this.
And I suspect there are plenty of stupid citizens, more than enough to get the critters re-elected, who will believe, "It's fer the CHILRUN!"
"That sounds like a moral principle.."
Almost.
"We KNOW we got rid of the income tax and said we'd pass a repeal amendment when we put in the NSRT. But the budget deficit is up to $750 billion!! And we REALLY NEED to double education spending for our little ones!!
"So, it REALLY IS AN EMERGENCY, and WE REALLY DO HAVE TO REINSTATE THE INCOME TAX. But I PROMISE YOU, as sure as my name is Congressperson Ima Critter, we will ONLY TAX THE RICH!! And only A LITTLE BIT!!"
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