A Bad Tax With Good Timing

National Journal ^ | March 17, 2006 | Jonathan Rauch

[n-tres-ted]

The upshot is that the AMT may spur a broad tax reform; it may lay the groundwork for a broad reform; or it may simply turn out to be a politically tolerable tax increase at a time when the country needs all the fiscal help it can get. In a first-choice world, the AMT is a horror. But in Tax Land, which is a third-choice world at best, the AMT looks heaven-sent.

[n-tres-ted]

The AMT is the catalyst that spurs doing something rather than nothing - the burr under the saddle that will unseat the status quo. The Fair Tax is the horseman ready to ride into the arena and sweep away the pretenders feeding on the public interest.

[n-tres-ted]

You may find this to your interest.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[technomage]

There is no way, NO WAY, that significant tax reform is ever going to happen.

First off, it takes away from both parties an election year platform. The Deathocrats use it against the Republicans (i.e. tax cuts for the rich). The Republicans use it against the Deathocrats (i.e. we will give you tax cuts). These are huge and powerful election year tactics.

Second, as the tax code stands now, it gives politicians huge power. They can write in tax breaks and loopholes for big donors, they can threaten others with tax increases. In the case of Deathocrats, they can promise their sniveling, low life supporters money from the rich and they can apply their pitiful social experiments on society with tax money. In the case of Republicans, they can offer donors tax incentives, loopholes and tax cuts and give whatever voter constituency tax breaks in return for their vote.

There is no way, NO WAY, that politicians of this age have the guts, the backbone, the spine to take on the tax code.

It is a waste of energy to believe and work towards doing what is actually RIGHT, that is to eliminate the tax code in favor of something better. The reason it is a waste of air is there is no politician that has the guts, the bravery, or the morals to do that.

I have heard politicians say they are going to simplify the tax code for over 30 years.

We have not had a politican with the cojones to seriously take this agenda on for at least that long and those that have said (and promised) they would change the tax code are plain and simple liars!!

We need new blood in politics.

I AM AGAINST ALL INCUMBENTS!!!

Alright, flame away. I have said this before and now have a suitable flame retardant suit.

[kylaka]

Some predicted the Soviet Union would crumble under its own crushing weight. It did. The Soviet Union II will also. It will take a bit longer though because it's socialism in slow motion. The outcome is preordained however. Have faith.

[Lancey Howard]

BUMP what you said. California will lead the way.

[peyton randolph]

I've never known a politician to voluntarily give up power once acquired. One need only look at the Alaska GOP congressional delegation in D.C. to see how taxing and spending powers corrupt absolutely.

[kylaka]

There is no doubt you are correct. Our constitution can only be considered a beautiful thing when you live and breathe it for 40 years. It's devine, and self correcting, even when some seek to undermine it at every turn.

[n-tres-ted]

Thanks for your responses. Funny thing about this, I think, is that the Fair Tax Act is the best government reform legislation I've ever seen; better than any ideas I've ever had. And it is being sponsored and promoted by a number of folks in Congress who are, guess what, politicians. John Linder of Georgia has worked uncounted hours, traveling many times outside his home district with no thought of higher office - just a real determination to get these ideas for tax reform a genuine hearing. He's and others, some politicians and others private folks, are still working at it, as am I. You'd be very surprised how many are working at it, and just about everyone who learns about it becomes a supporter. Ideas do matter. The Fair Tax Act (HR 25, S 25) is an idea whose time is coming.

[maine-iac7]

I think, is that the Fair Tax Act is the best government reform legislation I've ever seen;

ya got that right.

If we can get the Fair tax in place and say good buy to the IRS - we could become the freest country the world has ever seen - And the "Lords" of Washington would be brought down to their original station ' servants' - 'representatives' - instead of the ruling masters they think themselves to be.

the Fair tax would mean when you get your pay check - you get it ALL. And you wont be paying Any tax unless you make a pretty good living.

Small businesses wouldn't have that tremendous expense nor have the bookkeeping involved. (Many could then offer health insurance and STILL be ahead of the game.) The really rich would have NO loopholes. (Skeery Keeery buy another yacht? Pay the full tax. Illegals wouldn't get the get breaks, they'd be paying.

Second hand cars, goods are not taxable.

No means testing - simply based on number of people in the family - just fill out a post card sized form with no. in family - no income figures, no pint of blood.

here's the link. If you haven't read it - print it out. send it to everyone you know.

Think of it this way: If Hitlery, Skeery keeery, Teddy boy and the rest are against it - that's a pretty good litmus test in favor of it.

copy/paste

http://www.geocities.com/cmcofer/ftax.html

[rebel_yell2]

Have any of you LOOKED at the AMT? It is essentially a "Flat Tax" at 26%(?) with no deductions except for mortgage interest.

[jwh_Denver]

I think you're right on the money.

[mountn man]

Small businesses wouldn't have that tremendous expense nor have the bookkeeping involved. (Many could then offer health insurance and STILL be ahead of the game.)

Better yet, get businesses out of their workers personal lives. Pay the worker a certain wage, but make the worker responsible for their own insurance.

Whether business or government, its somebody else being responsible, for what should be an individual responsibility.

[Principled]

There is no way, NO WAY, that politicians of this age have the guts, the backbone, the spine to take on the tax code.

Yes there is, for some anyway. Specifically, the cosponsors/signers of HR 25.

For the others, they will be replaced at the ballot box. If we want reform. The question to me is not whether the pols will do anything about it - they will do whatever it takes to keep their job... the question to me is whether enough people want reform.

[Bigun]

The question to me is not whether the pols will do anything about it - they will do whatever it takes to keep their job... the question to me is whether enough people want reform.

AMEN!

Time for US to supervise our employees in government!

[ancient_geezer]

The AMT is the catalyst that spurs doing something rather than nothing - the burr under the saddle that will unseat the status quo.

I would certainly hope so. Though I find it rather interesting that the AMT is essentially the "Flat" tax that so many say they want as an alternative to the current system.

 

A Taxreform bump for you all.

If anyone would like to be added to this ping list let me know.

John Linder in the House(HR25) & Saxby Chambliss Senate(S25) offer a comprehensive bill to kill all income and SS/Medicare payroll taxes outright and replace them with with a national retail sales tax administered by the states.

H.R.25,S.25
A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national retail sales tax to be administered primarily by the States.

Refer for additional information:

• search: "national sales tax" OR "national retail sales tax" OR "fairtax"

[FBD]

I don't think you're going to get flamed. Sadly, you are probably right on the money with your assessment of tax reform. Btw, I haven't heard any more about Social Security reform these days...I guess it got fixed? ;^)

[Conservative Goddess]

I think there has to be some catalyst to kick-start the tax replacement movement....once it gets started however, the pols will be tripping over themselves to enact it. The only power we have is the credible threat of ouster, AND WE MUST USE IT. Once they hear that message loud and clear....they'll enact real tax reform if only to save their sorry backsides from ouster.

[FBD]

>"once it gets started however, the pols will be tripping over themselves to enact it."<

I hope so. I, like so many others, am becoming disillusioned.

[Man50D]

There is no way, NO WAY, that significant tax reform is ever going to happen.

The same was said about the Women's right to vote but a strong grassroots effort resulted in the 19th Amendment.

There is no way, NO WAY, that politicians of this age have the guts, the backbone, the spine to take on the tax code.

You're right, most of them don't have the guts. That is why we have to force them to pass the Fair Tax by increasing and maintaining the pressure on them. Politicians don't propose and support legislation without significant support from the public.

I AM AGAINST ALL INCUMBENTS!!!

It is impossible to remove all incumbents. It is much easier to have them pass legislation you support. Inaction will only continue the oppressive 60,000+ page tax code and encourage politicians to enact more loopholes.