[Smokin' Joe]

Maybe you haven't heard of a refund check.

I have heard of them, but I have not been issued one in years.

You cling desperately to an income tax code that also issues government refund checks that are tantamount to an admission from Congress it took more of the people's money than required, sit on it to earn interest, then decide to return the people's money long after they could have used it to pay bills, save, invest etc...

Wait a minute! If the government has to issue 'prebate' checks, isn't that an admission it took too much of the money from the people, too, from EVERYONE? Not just those who did not make enough to have to pay more in?

I do not cling to the current tax code, but I want the replacement to be an improvement. Imagine that.

Kinda like that 'change' thingy, it CAN get worse.

And, as I have said before, it does not matter how you collect the money if the government is spending too much, it will still be too much. Rein in the government, shrink that monster, before we quibble about how to open the feed bag.

[Man50D]

Wait a minute! If the government has to issue 'prebate' checks, isn't that an admission it took too much of the money from the people, too, from EVERYONE? Not just those who did not make enough to have to pay more in?

On the contrary. It is an admission by the creators of The Fair Tax Act too much money would be taken from the people if they were not compensated before they pay the tax due to eliminating the exemptions and loopholes in the income tax. It would be too much of a tax burden for people to bare. The loopholes and exemptions will be eliminated to end the distortion of the economy by lobbyists and thereby at the very least considerably reduce their influence. The 'pre'in prebate expressly means people are paid before they incur the tax on necessities up to the poverty level. Your remark only reveals you haven't bothered any in depth research on The Fair Tax.

[Principled]

And, as I have said before, it does not matter how you collect the money if the government is spending too much, it will still be too much.

The method of collection does affect spending Joe. Imagine if we only changed the method of collection in that we abolish withholding and require folks to pay in cash - out of their checking accounts.

Don't you think that would put downward pressure on taxes [and spending]? That is nothing more than changing the method of collection Joe.

I urge you to reconsider your position = the method of collection CAN influence taxes and spending.