Why we need to grow the FAIR TAX State Groups!

I will take a swing at the “why should we help grow the state group” question.

When we started to expand the groups into all 50 states about three years ago, the FairTax was far less known than it is today. The Ga group grew to a substantial size (several hundred members, as I recall) fairly quickly, but the other states were much slower to “take off”. When we started the state groups, there was really no convenient way for rank and file grassroots supporters to communicate with each other conveniently, except those you encountered in your daily life and developed communications with on your own. Those of us who saw a need for the state groups saw it as a tool to empower our supporters, making it easier to identify other supporters in their areas and develop collaborative relationships with them. The guy who lives two streets over in your subdivision may be a strong supporter who is willing to help you lobby your congressman, for example, but you had no way of knowing that unless you just happened to interact with him somewhere and the FairTax

Several of us, most especially Sam Wright of Brunswick, GA, saw the potential of the Yahoo! technology for linking our supporters together electronically, and have worked very hard to grow the memberships so that they have become a real force for us. As I previously posted, we should surpass 20,000 subscribers in the 50 state groups, which is enormous growth since Sam’s first “Morning Report” in September of 04 (which had about 3,000 subscribers). If we make a concerted effort, I believe that we can get to 50,000 within the next year or so.

It has been just recently that we have seen the state groups used for what we envisioned several years ago when we started them – facilitating communication and projects to promote the FairTax and move it forward. For example, I have seen posts about (1) the stances of various elected officials and candidates on our issue and the efforts to lobby them by our supporters, (2) rally communications and announcements, (3) organizational meetings, (4) tax reform news items, (5) FairTax booths and tables at community festivals, political events, etc. etc. We now have a means of mobilizing our supporters quickly and efficiently. While the state Yahoo! group members represent a small fraction of the supporters on AFFT’s database, I would suggest that they are the “elite troops” of the tax reform war. By that, I mean they are the most connected, informed and motivated. No other tax reform proposal has anything remotely resembling this that I am aware of.

A couple of years ago, Senator Grassley, then Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee made a less than brilliant comment about real tax reform being really difficult and unlikely. We alerted our supporters via the groups and his switchboard and fax machine were swamped. His receptionist told Genie Hayes to please have our supporters refer those calls to the Senate Finance Committee. My reaction was that the Senate Finance Committee didn’t make that uninformed statement, Senator Grassley made it and he should hear from our supporters. Bear in mind that when that happened, we had nowhere near the numbers in our various state groups that we have now. Can you imagine the impact we could have if we could get these groups up to 50,000 upon any elected official making a stupid statement? BTW, I have not heard Senator Grassley making any more ill-advised statements along those lines.

The point I am trying to make (perhaps too verbosely) is that the groups are directly related to the impact that we are having across the country in educating Americans and in lobbying elected officials. This whole effort is about educating people in mass and mobilizing them to do just a little bit in their daily lives to move the proposal along. Maintaining ongoing communication and rapid dissemination of information is the best way to facilitate that, which is exactly what the state groups do. That is why, when asked by someone who is new to the FairTax revolution, what they can do to help, I always give two answers

Go to Fairtax.org and sign an electronic petition, look through the FAQs and research papers to learn more, and

If we don’t stay in contact with people, we lose their energy and enthusiasm. The groups are the only efficient way to do that in volume. If you want to do something today to move the FairTax forward, call three friends, explain the FairTax if they aren’t familiar with it and ask them to join their state group. We are at a point where we can see exponential growth from an already substantial base if we all do that.

PS: It doesn’t matter what states your three friends are in – long distance is cheap and we have had 50 state groups for some time now.

Please consider this carefully. The Fairtax could change the face of America for the better. But only if we abolish the IRS also.

Many European countries have a consumption tax. Also just like the legendary Swiss banks, America could instantly become the largest tax haven in the world. Think what all that investment could do to this country.

Also We would not care so much about illegals incomes, they would be paying thier taxes along with criminals and the rest of us.

Right your representatives!

Boortz is bringing a fairtax rally here in Orlando at the end of the month. I will be there... This is probably the best solution put forward so far in solving pretty much every problem we face (financially) in America. Also being the largest transfer of power from congress to the people in our nations history.

i will not right MY representative, but I may write. With that said, no IRS + the FAIR tax solution would be a boon to business and citizens IMO.

I will only support the Fair Tax if the same legislation that creates it immediately abolishes the IRS & the federal income tax.

Since that ain't gonna happen, I'm against the Fair Tax.

I will only support the Fair Tax if the same legislation that creates it immediately abolishes the IRS & the federal income tax.

The FairTax -- HR25 bill -- abolishes them and a few others.

Very good information on the FairTax at: FairTax FAQ

6 posted on 07/13/2006 10:36:56 AM PDT by Zon (Honesty outlives the lie, spin and deception -- It always has -- It always will.)

That is not a good reason to be against it, but it is a good reason to be involved in ridding us of the IRS first.

I just mention that they have a consumption tax.
You are right we should not follow them, they kept their income tax also!

But the fair tax works.

One presidential candidate, republican John Cox, supports the fairtax. He's an expert in the subject, since he's a CPA, lawyer, investment advisor, and real estate broker.

He also supports penalties for illegal immigrants. He has campaigned in all 99 Iowa counties, all 10 New Hampshire counties, and 40 of 46 South Carolina counties. If you want to learn more about him, please check his site, www.cox2008.com.

Thanks that's great.
I am working on Senator Bishop of Michigan with the fair tax theme.

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.