Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

National Sales Tax Gets Fresh Look; Rahm Emanuel's brother advises 10% VAT...
Washington Post ^ | 5/27/2009 | Lori Montgomery

Posted on 05/27/2009 5:38:44 AM PDT by GreaterSwiss

With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax.

Common around the world, including in Europe, such a tax -- called a value-added tax, or VAT -- has not been seriously considered in the United States. But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity.

At a White House conference earlier this year on the government's budget problems, a roomful of tax experts pleaded with Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner to consider a VAT. A recent flurry of books and papers on the subject is attracting genuine, if furtive, interest in Congress. And last month, after wrestling with the White House over the massive deficits projected under Obama's policies, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee declared that a VAT should be part of the debate.

"There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform," Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said in an interview. "I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table."

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: added; bigteapartyjuly4; donttreadonme; fairtax; lping; nationalsalestax; obama; rahm; salestax; tax; taxes; taxincreases; teapartytime; time2partyagain; value; vat
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 341-360 next last
To: demoskowitz

Get the tar, feathers and a rope.....


21 posted on 05/27/2009 5:48:49 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

Tax consumption and you get less of it.

These clowns want control and the power to undermine the U.S. economy and it’s productivity.

They have no intent to “fix” anything.


22 posted on 05/27/2009 5:49:15 AM PDT by G Larry (ObamaCare = "DYING IN LINE!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Obadiah
Sure! That’s what Americans are clamoring for, more taxes! Let’s be more like those ultra sophisticated Europeans!

You'd be surprised! We're rapidly approaching the point where the point where the parasites outnumber the hosts. People figure they're going to be a getting check from the gov't...let the other guy worry about taxes. The kind of forced mediocrity that the government can provide is much better than what they're willing to work for to provide for themselves. It's so damned depressing!

23 posted on 05/27/2009 5:49:47 AM PDT by pgkdan ( I miss Ronald Reagan!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz
But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity.

One option can take care of the budget problems.

Cut, hack, slash, and burn on spending.

24 posted on 05/27/2009 5:50:04 AM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

The people in CA voted 2 to 1 against raising taxes and still that’s all these fools advocate. What part of “tax revolt” do they not understand?


25 posted on 05/27/2009 5:50:06 AM PDT by randita
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas
The leftists need to coordinate better. They are still reciting the “95% of taxpayers will get a tax cut” talking point.

They'll change it slightly, to "95% of taxpayers will get an income tax cut." As in Animal Farm, only a few animals will notice the difference.

26 posted on 05/27/2009 5:50:40 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine (Is /sarc really necessary?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

They’re trying to turn us into England here, folks.


27 posted on 05/27/2009 5:50:54 AM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear (Obama. Clear and Pres__ent Danger.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: unixfox

We are in a work release camp. We are free to wonder around just so long as we kick back.

Even if people don’t pay income tax, they will just get corporations to collect the tax.

1/3 the country is on tax supported welfare/SSI.
1/3 works for gooberment, and depends on higher taxes for increased living standards
1/3 of us are competing amongst ourselves, illegals, and every county in the world.


28 posted on 05/27/2009 5:50:57 AM PDT by Leisler ("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."~G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

“Rahm Emanuel’s brother advises 10% VAT...”

That’s O.K.. He can pay that if he wants to.

Wait a minute - who elected him? Who appointed him? Who asked him?


29 posted on 05/27/2009 5:50:58 AM PDT by RoadTest (For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus - I Tim 2:5)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slapshot68
They already are in droves. One guy who is in the business of helping them leave estimates that $1 billion per day is leaving. Even if he is off by half it is a staggering number.
30 posted on 05/27/2009 5:52:12 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Nemo me impune lacessit (Two terms for politicians, one in office, one in jail.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

later


31 posted on 05/27/2009 5:52:47 AM PDT by I_be_tc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slapshot68
What’s the plan when the rich decide to pull up stakes and leave this country?

And where are they going to go?

32 posted on 05/27/2009 5:52:52 AM PDT by Riodacat (Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: unixfox

http://www.freedomfiles.org/war/fema.htm


33 posted on 05/27/2009 5:53:17 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Nemo me impune lacessit (Two terms for politicians, one in office, one in jail.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz
"some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo"

I'm curious how anyone would come to the conclusion that taxes are a "money-making idea".

34 posted on 05/27/2009 5:53:32 AM PDT by Psycho_Bunny (ALSO SPRACH ZEROTHUSTRA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz; Taxman; Principled; EternalVigilance; phil_will1; kevkrom; Bigun; PeteB570; FBD; ...
But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity.

There has been an another option before Congress since 1999. It's the Fair Tax Act(HR25/S296). It is a non VAT national sales tax that will replace the Federal income tax and abolish the IRS. Fair Tax ping!


35 posted on 05/27/2009 5:53:58 AM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slapshot68

“What’s the plan when the rich decide to pull up stakes and leave this country?”

Sorry you missed the point, there will not be any rich to pull up stakes...


36 posted on 05/27/2009 5:54:07 AM PDT by Quick Shot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Leisler
We need a revolt.

It sure looks like they really want one. It's almost like they are begging for it. Problem is, most of the American public are panty-waists and don't have the stomach for what really needs to be done.

37 posted on 05/27/2009 5:54:35 AM PDT by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

Why should I pay more for lousy government I don’t want?


38 posted on 05/27/2009 5:54:40 AM PDT by popdonnelly (The greatest crimes in history have been perpetrated by governments. You've been warned.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slapshot68
What’s the plan when the rich decide to pull up stakes and leave this country?

The Dems never believe people respond to their taxes. They always believe in "static" analysis where Revenue = Tax Rates x Income. But, as disclosed yesterday, Maryland reveals the truth: "Wealthy leaving Maryland in droves to avoid higher taxes." And even NYC provides tax credits to film making companies to make sure they come back to Manhattan to make their movies.

Next steps? Revoke passports? Require permission to move to the next state? Reciprocal tax laws to reach you even after you flee a high tax state? A wall on the Mexican and Canadian borders to keep us from fleeing? 100% death tax on estates?

39 posted on 05/27/2009 5:54:43 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: demoskowitz

“few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity. “

How about cutting spending..NOW??? Not 2 years, 5 years or 10 years down the road. NOW!!!!!


40 posted on 05/27/2009 5:54:51 AM PDT by NCBraveheart (My inner child is a mean little SOB)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 341-360 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson