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This is a moronic plan with zero chance of ever being passed.

Why call it the “Fair Tax”? Why not something catchy like “Screw the Seniors Tax”?

I mean if you’re going to cut the taxes 50% for billionaires and tax granny twice on everything, that would be a more honest name for this POS plan!

This article is lengthy and full of snarks. The calculation of purchasing power, for example, assumes that all purchases under the fair tax system are taxable. The author assumes that everyone will be forced to sign up for the "prebate" and bases the cost on ensuring such compliance. The author assumes there is no downside to the fedgov being able to influence the economy through manipulation of the income tax, but instead treats it as a notable virtue of the income tax system. There is also an assertion of the benefit of the income tax system as an instrument of controlling criminal behavior, neglecting that the behavior is only criminal under the income tax system. The argument that the prebate will not be spent on behalf of dependent children assumes that the current income tax systems actually ensure that caregivers are responsible for dependent children.

I've never seen the arguments about the impact of evil "Tax Planning" before, but the author points out it is currently legal...so what's the problem? The arguments about the transfer and concentration of wealth are a little disturbing. On the other hand powerful individuals do currently attempt to leverage the influence of the federal tax system for greater power over individual citizens...would they be the same players? hmmm...maybe not.

I can't follow the arguments about the impact of social security on self-employed, the discussion of the requirement for a federal tax service to be implemented if the state "opts out" of sales tax, or the relevance that sales tax be discussed in a tax-exclusive vs tax-inclusive manner.

Undoubtedly I am not giving this post the benefit of my full, careful attention. But it may not deserve it, because the agglomeration of irrelevant rhetoric coupled with my effective annual tax rate of 80% (sales and income tax and indirect taxation) tends to influence my views on the subject. In my book, anyone who promotes the continuance of the income tax system for it's virtues is a ninny for neglecting it's costs.

Why call it the “Fair Tax”? Why not something catchy like “Screw the Seniors Tax”?

Maybe it's time for the elder generation to strive for the good of the ensuing generation, instead of feeling entitled to the fruit of all their children's and grandchildren's labors.

Fact is, a good proportion of the capital in this country is possessed by those who are older, and the entire system now is set up to reinforce that. They have most of the disposable income, while the younger generation struggles to put food on their children's table and keep a roof over their heads. It's crazy.

One more example of how backwards our priorities are these days.