[Nervous Tick]

>> Pointing out that there are differences between a VAT and a sales tax is far from pedantic

You are ignoring the following facts:

1) The machinery necessary to administer a national sales tax is essentially the same as that required to adminster a VAT; and
2) Many on the Left have long dreamed of an EU-style VAT in America.

Roll those two up, and the concept of a VAT getting a foot in the door with Cain’s national “sales tax” is not in the least farfetched.

THAT is what many of us are concerned about — along with the idea that a) the sales tax will add to, not supplant, the income tax, and b) a revenue hungry Congress will very soon raise the 9-9-9 rates to 12-12-12 or even higher.

These are NOT idle concerns, and to ignore them is to be naive of how our big government actually works.

[okie01]

and b) a revenue hungry Congress will very soon raise the 9-9-9 rates to 12-12-12 or even higher.

Just curious. Are you not concerned that "a revenue hungry Congress" will raise the current income tax schedule?

How is the 9-9-9 plan any different in this regard?

[reasonisfaith]

To oppose a tax structure on the basis that Congress might later increase the rate is silly.

Congress can always increase the rates, on any tax, if they think it’s politically viable.

In other words, this argument could apply, in the same arbitrary way, to any tax proposal.

[RobertClark]

THAT is what many of us are concerned about — along with the idea that a) the sales tax will add to, not supplant, the income tax, and b) a revenue hungry Congress will very soon raise the 9-9-9 rates to 12-12-12 or even higher.

These are NOT idle concerns, and to ignore them is to be naive of how our big government actually works.

I share those concerns with you.

The need to reform and simplify our current tax code to ensure that everyone contributes is essential. The percentage of taxpayers declines everytime the welfare nanny state increases. Leaving 51% of us to pay is not acceptable.

Any reform of our tax code, as with our current code, leaves open the door for politicians to decide winners and losers. That is where the diligence of all of us collectively to elect worthy representatives going forward provides a guard. We must remain engaged and not allow ourselves to become apathetic as we did after Reagan - that is what slowly eroded to give us our current Congress and Ozero.

[fightinJAG]

Oh, yes, I can see Maxine Waters voting to raise the NST and income tax rate on “her people” from 9% to 12% and even higher.

BOO-YAH!

These greedy thiefs will no longer be able to stick producers with the bill for the parasites without the parasites getting hit equally.