“The government” doesn’t pay out monthly checks. Much as with the SS presently, the prebate will be typically paid by wire transfer. Also, the prebate is not at all a “step toward socialism” (we’re already there in case you’ve not noticed). In fact it’s a step away from socialism and gives taxpayers far more political power than they presently have.
The FairTax is not a partisan political bill in any event and one of the original sponsors of the bill was Colin Peterson, a Democrat. And there are certainly some Democrats who recognize that the US cannot continue on its present course in having taxpayer-funded illegal immigration (among economic abnormalities).
What you refer to as “unfunded liabilities” (presumably the SS/MC entitlements) are in fact funded under the present bill defining the FairTax - which is still revenue neutral.
#1) There are $27 trillion in unfunded liabilities in the OASDI trust fund. In 2005, $722B was collected in “contributions”, while $540B was paid out. By 2018, the total going out will be over $1 Trillion, and for the first time in the history of SSA, the amount of “contrbutions” WILL NOT COVER the amounts going out. So WHERE do we get the money? The answer is lower benefits or higher taxes. It is just that simple. Therefore, we need tax reform that addresses this problem specifically, rather than a plan that declares itself “revenue nuetral”, so everything is the same....except for one thing...this problem doesn’t just go away, Fair Tax or not. What does FT propose to do about this problem? Nothing.
#2) The government, regardless of how it pays out the money, wire transfer, check, pony express, whatever, paying out monthly amounts to EVERY household in America (oh yeah, “qualified” household) is not a step towards socialism? Why would I want the government to have such an integral control of my monthly money? Once a year is bad enough, now we want monthly? Why would I want to give the government one dime more than it needs to operate on a minimal scale? ... and why would I want to pay for this disbursement of prebates?
#3) “We are already there in case I’ve not noticed”....now that’s a little resigned don’t you think. Oh well.