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Would Herman Cain's '9-9-9' Plan Tax Poor People's Food, Clothing?
International Business Times ^ | 10/11/2011 | Ashley Portero

Posted on 10/11/2011 6:56:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

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To: dawn53

Yes, but for the majority of people who actually earn a living, paying only 9% income tax and no FICA, Medicaid or Capital Gains tax will put so much more back into their pockets they won’t blink when purchasing that home or car. They’ll still be ahead.


81 posted on 10/11/2011 8:28:56 AM PDT by GatorGirl (Herman Cain 2012)
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To: Texas Eagle

The point is that the poor will be less poor, prices will be lower due to reduced corporate taxes. But I’d say that maybe we don’t tax food that has only one ingredient on the label: (e.g. beef, rice, potato, lettuce, milk).


82 posted on 10/11/2011 8:29:00 AM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Author of BullionBible.com - Makes You a Precious Metal Expert, Guaranteed.)
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To: sam_paine
Can someone explain to me how 9-9-9 does NOT become 10-10-10 in the next congress, or then 18-18-18 under the next D admin?

No they can't...because that's exactly what will happen...with even bigger rates to come!

83 posted on 10/11/2011 8:30:03 AM PDT by pgkdan (Perry 2012!)
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To: relictele
I don’t disagree with you but the point - as I’m sure Cain would argue, perhaps off the record - is that a flat tax SOUNDS ‘fair’ and would draw popular support as a result.

It sounds fair, yes. And if I'm paying income taxes then I think it's fair that everyone pays income taxes. But if I was one of those who, because of deductions and credits under the current system, isn't paying income taxes then I'm not sure I would consider a large tax increase to be all that fair. Why should they support the man who will do that to them?

84 posted on 10/11/2011 8:31:37 AM PDT by SoJoCo
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To: Texas Eagle; sam_paine
Can someone explain to me how 9-9-9 does NOT become 10-10-10 in the next congress, or then 18-18-18 under the next D admin?

There's more to it than some of the replies you've received thus far.

There is nothing *technically* stopping dems from raising taxes under ANY kind system - whether it be a straight income tax or Fair tax, BUT...


85 posted on 10/11/2011 8:32:03 AM PDT by bolobaby
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To: sam_paine; SeekAndFind; relictele; BushCountry; Texas Eagle; dawn53

Can someone explain to me how 9-9-9 does NOT become 10-10-10 in the next congress, or then 18-18-18 under the next D admin?


Serious answer: The tax is more safe against being raised than our current rates are for a very powerful reason: ALL voters will be aware of the tax, and the number. Whichever “9” they find most painful will be their reason not to increase to 10-10-10, and to vote accordingly.

The powerful wisdom of the plan is that it gives all voters a stake in keeping the rates low. Most likely, we’d see popular campaigns to lower the rate, not raise it.

To restate, the 9-9-9 plan ends the era of one group seeking to raise taxes on another to garner benefits for themselves.


86 posted on 10/11/2011 8:33:53 AM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Author of BullionBible.com - Makes You a Precious Metal Expert, Guaranteed.)
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To: pgkdan

Actually, I remember you jumping off the Cain train as soon as Perry announced.

That’s fine, to each his own, but let’s not pretend with this “I was a Cain supporter until 999” rhetoric.

It just gives you a convenient “out”.


87 posted on 10/11/2011 8:35:05 AM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: SeekAndFind

I think the plan is stupid. It will lead to riots if he’s elected, but he probably won’t because the plan sucks all-around.

Why doesn’t he fix the spending under the current tax system? That’s the real problem with the economy. Once the system is fixed (read massively reduced), and the economy rebounds taxes can be reduced as necessary.


88 posted on 10/11/2011 8:37:00 AM PDT by Justa
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To: Brookhaven
The argument that needs to be emphasized is that prices will go down more than enough to cover any "tax increase."

And just how will you guarantee that?

I'm not sure how much of the current price of food is taxes (I'm pretty sure some fair taxer can find this) but I know it's pretty substantial.

That depends on the state. In my state all food is taxed at 8.25%. Under Cain that goes up to 17.25%.

Lowering the business tax rate from 35% to 9% will cause the price of food to drop more than enough to cover the additional federal sales tax.

Complete nonsense. There is absolutely nothing short of government prices controls that will guarantee that.

he max tax rate is 17.19%, not 18%

The max tax rate is 9% on income and 9% on everything you buy. So the total percentage will depend on purchases.

employers pay a 7.65% tax for workers (1/2 of payroll tax) that is eliminated, so workers should see their base pay increase by 7.65%.

Why? Will the government require it?

workers pay a 15.3% payroll tax, which is eliminated under the Cain plan, so the max tax increase they'll see is 1.89% (17.19% - 15.3%).

Again, false. Workers currently pay 5.65% in FICA and Medicare. A 9% rate is a 3.35% increase.

becuase retail prices will drop, workers should end up with more money in their pocket under the Cain plan, even though technically their tax rate has gone up

And what will guarantee that retail prices will drop? Federal law?

89 posted on 10/11/2011 8:40:03 AM PDT by SoJoCo
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To: Justa

RE: Why doesn’t he fix the spending under the current tax system?

THAT’s PART OF HIS PLAN AS WELL.

You have to understand that Herman Cain’s plan is (to steal a word) HOLISTIC. He’s going to fight for BOTH his tax plan AND a responsible, balanced budget.

He is on record as supporting Connie Mack’s PENNY PLAN to balance the budget for instance.

It’s not an either/or thing.


90 posted on 10/11/2011 8:40:43 AM PDT by SeekAndFind (u)
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To: justsaynomore
You are right, not all the details are not listed on the brochure you linked to - because it is a KISS principle.

How complex is it to add to his website "used items exempt from sales tax"?

91 posted on 10/11/2011 8:42:34 AM PDT by SoJoCo
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To: Justa

“Once the system is fixed (read massively reduced), and the economy rebounds taxes can be reduced as necessary.”

But wait - the whole argument against 999 is that greedy Congress is going to raise rates. Now you’re saying this same group will cut spending and REDUCE taxes?


92 posted on 10/11/2011 8:42:54 AM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: justsaynomore
I never jumped off the Cain train! I admire, respect and like him tremendously. I also like Rick Perry. AS far as I'm concerned they are the only acceptable candidates running but I do not like Cain's 9-9-9 plan. Instituting a natioanl sales tax while the income tax is still in force is a huge gamble and a mistake.

I will admit that I changed my tag line after Cain's ill advised remarks about the 'rock'. I plan to change it back to "Perry/Cain or Cain/Perry" at some point soon but to do so in response to your post would seem a little disingenuous.

93 posted on 10/11/2011 8:45:21 AM PDT by pgkdan (Perry 2012!)
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To: Conservative Actuary; sam_paine

“prebates”

The so-called FairTax is a joke. Because of the prebate checks.

People here will nitpick and naysay based on whatever details of ANY plan that ANY body proposes. That’s fine. It’s still pre-season.

But Cain should be thunderously applauded for attempting to introduce OBJECTIVE fairness to the national tax debate. The soul of this great nation has already suffered immeasurably from the SUBJECTIVE fairness of progressive taxation and politically generous exemption.

Progressivity is, by definition, a corruption of objective fairness.

Obama is a superhero to the Left because he promises to muster strength to remove the concrete blindfold from the tradition of American Justice. Legally and economically speaking.

We can (and should) debate the details, but Cain already deserves regard as a great American Re-Founder for having the guts to put the blindfold back where the Founders originally tied it.

Which candidate has done the best job of putting the fat, lazy and thoroughly un-American protesters in their place?

Cain.

“General Welfare” does not, AT ALL, mean what libs assume. It means general in the sense that no specific groups, classes or individuals should either distinctly benefit or suffer from federal legislation. It is the Constitution’s recognition of objectivity as the ruling principle of the document. There is tragic irony in it’s modern redefinition.


94 posted on 10/11/2011 8:49:16 AM PDT by BuddhaBrown (Path to enlightenment: Four right turns, then go straight until you see the Light!)
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To: SoJoCo
That depends on the state. In my state all food is taxed at 8.25%. Under Cain that goes up to 17.25%.

I was talking about federal income taxes that are embedded in the base price of products, not the state sales tax.

Lowering the business tax rate from 35% to 9% will cause the price of food to drop more than enough to cover the additional federal sales tax.

Complete nonsense. There is absolutely nothing short of government prices controls that will guarantee that.

And competition.

If I'm the Kroger gocery chain, and I have the choice of purchasing from multiple suppliers, I'm going to purchase from the one that has the lowest prices. Kroger's cost of produce will go down because of competiton between food wholesales.

If I'm a consumer, and I have the choice of puchasing from Kroger's and Publix, I'm going to purchase from the one with the lowest prices. Grocery pricies will go down, because of competiton between Kroger's and Publix.

If you can't even grasp that simple point, that competiton forces prices down, then you don't need to be making economic arguments.

BTW, government price controls have historicly caused prices to go UP, because they stifle the competitive forces that drive prices down.

95 posted on 10/11/2011 8:50:45 AM PDT by Brookhaven (999 Tax Calculator: http://goo.gl/AHsjH)
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To: SeekAndFind

I still say it’s a stupid plan. There is No Way 50% of the voters are going to vote for a 9% income tax plus a 9% national sales tax in a bad economy with growing inflation. It’s absurd! They’re already squeezed as is, now the fed wants 18% more from them? Nuts!

An 18% federal tax added to <$50,000 incomes at a time of 20% yearly food inflation is POLITICAL SUICIDE. Heck, I make substantially more than that and I am totally against a 9% national sales tax. It’s ridiculous.

You know what the solution is to a 9% national sales tax is? It’s a R/T ticket to somewhere else.

This 9-9-9 plan has Fat Cat and Crony Capitalist ALL OVER IT.

R-I-N-O.


96 posted on 10/11/2011 8:53:24 AM PDT by Justa
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To: Brookhaven
Corporations paid a total of $ 191 billion in taxes in 2010 which amounts to 9% of the total tax revenues of $ 2.1 trillions therefore in reality corporations paid much less than the 35% of what they are supposed to pay. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Federal_Receipts_-_FY_2007.png

Cain 9-9-9 plan is a political disaster because he wants 50% of the population (including many of his supporters) which does not pay any taxes after they file all their deductions under the current tax code to pay 9% in income tax and another 9% in national sales tax on almost everything they purchase including food.

97 posted on 10/11/2011 8:54:35 AM PDT by jgge
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To: justsaynomore

They have to reduce spending before they can reduce taxes. That means an Executive and Congress agreeing on massive federal cuts, as in entire departments. EPA, HHS, HUD, TSA, DoE, DoEd, etc. GONE and many others reduced to the point of de-regulation of the economy.

Dismantle crony federalism and the economy will rebound. No tax adjustments necessary.


98 posted on 10/11/2011 8:58:16 AM PDT by Justa
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To: Justa

“Dismantle crony federalism and the economy will rebound. No tax adjustments necessary.”

So, in other words, you are content with the current tax system, which effectively takes from the rich and gives to the poor, as long as the rates come down.


99 posted on 10/11/2011 9:06:04 AM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: justsaynomore

I’m content with removing the corruption first. You can’t set anything straight until integrity is restored.

Current tax rates and budget surplusses will be necessary for years into the future to fix the economic crisis. Otherwise the whole system is going down and another dark age is upon us.


100 posted on 10/11/2011 9:15:27 AM PDT by Justa
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