Posted on 09/02/2007 6:42:46 AM PDT by Man50D
When Republican Mike Huckabee met supporters at Knights Stadium last week, more than two dozen showed up wearing the uniform of a group trying to flex its muscle in the presidential primaries.
Dressed in white shirts with "Fair Tax" logos, they're part of a growing movement in South Carolina and around the country pushing for drastic overhaul of the nation's tax laws.
Their group, Americans for Fair Taxation, would abolish the federal income tax and Internal Revenue Service and repeal the 16th Amendment that authorizes them. They would replace it all with a 23 percent national sales tax.
Thousands of Fair Tax supporters rallied in May outside the Republican presidential debate in Columbia. A month later, more than 100 waved signs as would-be candidate Fred Thompson arrived there for a speech.
"We really think that the winner of the South Carolina presidential primary will be a Fair Tax supporter," said John Steinberger, a Charleston teacher and the group's state director.
A handful of wealthy Houston businessmen started the group more than a decade ago. The idea was popularized in a 2005 book co-authored by Neal Boortz, whose syndicated radio show airs on WBT.
Congressional proponents include Charlotte Republican Rep. Sue Myrick. She's among 63 co-sponsors of a House bill that would enact those changes.
Supporters argue that by closing loopholes and taxing what people spend, not what they earn, the sales tax would be more fair. They acknowledge that a sales tax is regressive, falling most heavily on the poor who spend a greater share of income. They say the government would make payments to the poor to help them pay the new tax.
Critics say the change is unrealistic and unworkable, and would create an accounting nightmare that would fall heavily on state governments ill-prepared to handle it.
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(Excerpt) Read more at charlotte.com ...
Where do you store used food? How long do you think we can all drive used cars? Who's going to buy used toys at Christmas when little Bobbie wants the latest and greatest? If someone is selling used toothbrushes, I'll pass.
He won’t choose 9 or 23. He can’t. If he chooses 9, he’s been lying while accusing others of same. If he chooses 23, he can be quickly and easily shown wrong. ANd you know RP won’t stand for that. He’s perfect.
It works just fine in, what, 43 states. Who's refusing to admit the truth?
He may be calling his script writers as we speak.
You talking about the single digit sales taxes, compounded by income taxes, sin taxes, excise taxes, death taxes, payroll taxes, school taxes, and property taxes??? Oh yeah, that works “really sweet”
/not
LOL!
#85... yeah.. lol alright.
They are totally sold on the “permission to live” tax - sure - the politicians are going to listen “real good” when you are living like a cardboard box bum to “prove a point”
snicker....
too bad you missed the real point...um..er..ignoring it as per usual.
For the same reason they created (and keep raising) the Minimum Wage -- to get votes.
"I agree - and the income tax does it, but the nrst doesn't."
Are you referring to the EITC?
Robert, if they give everyone a tax cut, they'll take in less revenue. Isn't that what we want?
BTW - is it 9 or 23% in prices. This is the second time I’m asking you to commit.
It depends. Under the Fair Tax, are workers going to take home their gross, their net, or something in between?
If they're taking home their gross, then I believe there's 9% to work with. If they take home their current amount (net), then there's 23% to play with and manufacturers can maintain their current prices.
Do you know what's going to happen under the Fair Tax?
"I predict you will refuse to answer."
Not I. It's your side that runs away from questions, yelling over their shoulder, "Read the booooooooook"
Wait a minuet Robert - just a few posts up you said 23%. Are you changing your position to “either, depending”?
WHich is it robert? You told me that since 23% of prices were taxes ["Everyone who buys something today pays hidden taxes equal to the Fair Tax"], so the base wasn't getting larger nor were the number of payers increasing.
Then, you said "It depends".
So now you agree that the base is almost twice as large AND there will be more payers. QUick switch!
Back up. A $100 item at retail today contains how much, on average, of hidden taxes (as defined above)? Am I off the reservation with my 23%? Are people paying more than that today to the federal government via their purchases?
I predict you will refuse to answer.
MORE changes!? Don't you wish FR had an edit button?
Now you're even saying 23% is revenue neutral?! Wow!
A $100 item at retail today contains how much, on average, of hidden taxes (as defined above)?
That's what I was asking you! You said 23%, then you said "it depends", now you're dancing.
Sure, that's what we want. But what we'll get is what we've been getting -- more deficit spending and a higher National Debt.
The solution is less spending, not a less painful, or simpler, or more fair way of collecting the same revenue.
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