Dear Herman Cain: Just Replace 9-9-9 with a Flat Tax

American Thinker ^ | 10/19/2011 | Monte Kuligowski

[SeekAndFind]

Intrigue over the 9-9-9 plan has lifted Herman Cain to the top position (or number-two spot, depending on the poll) among GOP presidential candidates. Of course, Cain's dynamic personality and clear articulation of conservatism are also factors. Nevertheless, without the earthshaking proposal of abolishing the current tax system, Cain would still be a candidate struggling for name recognition from the second tier.

With that said, now is the time to ditch the bifurcated plan involving both a flat-rate income tax and a national sales tax. Now is the time for Cain to announce that after consideration of all issues, a simple flat tax on income without loopholes for the rich is the better way forward. Scrap the current tax code and replace it with a nondiscriminatory flat tax through which every wage-earner pays his fair share.

The more you earn, the more you will pay. But everyone will be protected equally under law by paying the same flat percentage rate.

There are two good reasons for Mr. Cain to act now. Once conservatives fully think through the implications of implementing a bifurcated system, they will begin to leave Cain in droves. Additionally, Cain's 9-9-9 plan provides an easy target for the left.

Regarding conservatives and Cain's proposal (9% flat rate corporate tax, 9% flat rate individual income tax, and a 9% national sales tax): I don't believe it will take long for most conservatives to recognize the potential disaster of implementing a flat-rate income tax system and a national sales tax.

Just as Obama wants to eventually get to a single-payer healthcare system via Obamacare, Cain wants to get solely to the Fair Tax (phase 3 of his plan), which is a 30 percent national sales tax with spending exemptions for the poor.

[Fred]

Hurry up and surrender y alll..

Art Laffer endorses 999 and goes over the plan in this article.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204346104576637310315367804.html?mod=rss_opinion_main

[Maceman]

The problem with the Flat Tax is that it doesn’t get rid of the IRS. We need to eliminate the need to file, and to give the government all of our most personal financial data (under penalty of perjury in violation of the 5th amendment).

The biggest advantage of a national sales tax is that April 15 is just another day, it doesn’t cost individuals any money to comply, and as I say, it preserves our privacy.

[Fred]

http://www.999calculator.net/

[DannyTN]

I’m against the 999 plan, but I like Herman Cain.

Too many articles are making a vote for Cain sound like a referendum on 999.

[teenyelliott]

I wish they would stop with the whole "revenue neutral" thing.

Once they cut 1/2 the useless crap, they will need less money.

That would be a great marketing ploy..."This will only raise 1/3 of what we steal now, so we''ll HAVE to cut back!!"

:)

[Fred]

Hello did we not watch the debate last night, these candidates could barely get the flat tax word out of their mouths much less proposing eliminating the IRS!!!

Cain is the only guy with the guts to have a plan that does a real overhaul of the current thieving tax system.

So many of these talking heads and journalists shrivel up and cave in with the most basic of challenges. Their motives should always be suspect, they desperately want acceptance from the beltway cabal...

[marty60]

Since Laffer was a great support of Jerry Browns flat tax.

Maybe we should bing it to see what Herm is going to trot out next.

[Fred]

Hello did we not watch the debate last night, these candidates could barely get the flat tax word out of their mouths much less proposing eliminating the IRS!!!

Cain is the only guy with the guts to have a plan that does a real overhaul of the current thieving tax system.

So many of these talking heads and journalists shrivel up and cave in with the most basic of challenges. Their motives should always be suspect, they desperately want acceptance from the beltway cabal...

[marty60]

Actually Laffer is a big fan of Gov. Jerry Browns flat tax.
When he was working as a consultant to Bubba Clinton.

Maybe Cain is going to push the Jerry Brown flat tax.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>>With that said, now is the time to ditch the bifurcated plan involving both a flat-rate income tax and a national sales tax. Now is the time for Cain to announce that after consideration of all issues, a simple flat tax on income without loopholes for the rich is the better way forward. Scrap the current tax code and replace it with a nondiscriminatory flat tax through which every wage-earner pays his fair share.

BINGO!

If not a flat tax then at the very least, lets see a return to the Reagan era tax rates of 1988-89, 28% and 15%. A most doable and workable system that would lower everyones personal federal income taxes just like it did in the 1980`s when America had its lowest federal income tax rates in 50 years, since the 1920`s. At the same time corporate and capgains taxes should be addressed. Either significantly lowered, or abolished completely.

[RC2]

We should also place a 25-30% tariff in all goods coming into the United States. Even those products manufactured by our companies in another country and brought into the country. This will drive manufacturing back to our own country.

[fightinJAG]

There are two good reasons for Mr. Cain to act now. Once conservatives fully think through the implications of implementing a bifurcated system, they will begin to leave Cain in droves.

This certainly is a highly condescending and off-putting remark from this author. Does he really believe that most conservatives supporting the plan have not "fully thought through the implications of implementing a bifurcated system"?

Does the author actually want to go on record as claiming his analysis is so far superior to the robust segment of conservatives now supporting or leaning toward Cain's plan that he can confidently say we presently are duped?

I'm going to read the rest of the article, but not as a favor to this author, that's for sure.

[Jeff Head]

Well, for corporations and for individuals, Cain does implement a flat, fair tax of 9% for income.

He adds a sales tax. But it is a tax for retail sales of new iems only.

His position and one I can agree with, is that by lowering the corporate tax from 35% to 9% the various corporations are going to be able to use that 26% difference to get very competitive and pass on more than a 9% savings to us, which wil, under this condition, mean that the 9% sales tax is more than made up for in savings.

In addition, by abolishing the inheritance tax, the capitol gains tax and the payroll taxes, people will end up over all saving more...that is, the people who are paying taxes now.

it is true that on the low end people who pay no tax will have to pay some now.

That is not a bad thing. Right now you have 47% of the people (or something like it) paying no taxes. IMHO, this represents a very real economic threat to the entire system. The democrats want to keep it that way because in their mind these are bought and paid for votes for them who are on their reservation.

Cai's plan increases the tax base, bringing people who are simply taking from the system and making them take part. These people will have to find jobs or avoid life-styles they cannot afford. In truth the DNC is encouraging such people to take a free ride for the most part and this has to end.

If it doesn;t sooner or later the system will collapse of its own weight.

Cain recognizes this and his plan addresses it. In addition, with a very low corporate rate, business will be boosted in the US and jobs and manufacturing and all types of other industries will increase buisness in America meaning more and better paying jobs.

Finally, with a Cain election, along with the House and Senate it is sure to usher in, the heavy burden of regulation on American business will be significantly lessened, further bolstering the economy, jobs, pay, and wealth as it flows out to the people...instead of into a fatted and inefficient government.

[sefarkas]

These and stories like it are written by and in favor of the RINO tax accountants who make their living parsing the various tax codes and implementing regulations. The parsing would not be necessary when there are only three ways to pay federal taxes. Furthermore, I am not concerned that Herman Cain or his ilk will add federal departments and federal agencies to nanny-state us to death. As the economy grows and the federal government shrinks, what would be the basis for raising any of the three rates below?

9% Business Flat Tax Gross income less all purchases from other U.S. located businesses, all capital investment, and net exports. Empowerment Zones will offer deductions for the payroll of those employed in the zone

9% Individual Flat Tax. Gross income less charitable deductions. Empowerment Zones will offer additional deductions for those living and/or working in the zone.

9% National Sales Tax. Unlike a state sales tax, which is an add-on tax that increases the price of goods and services, this is a replacement tax. It replaces taxes that are already embedded in selling prices. By replacing higher marginal rates in the production process with lower marginal rates, marginal production costs actually decline, which will lead to prices being the same or lower, not higher.

[lwoodham]

9-9-9 Calculators. Check your own numbers. I did and was surprised. Pass these links around.

http://www.nerds4cain.com/Blog/archives/723

http://www.999calculator.net/

[PMAS]

*

[fightinJAG]

Regarding conservatives and Cain's proposal (9% flat rate corporate tax, 9% flat rate individual income tax, and a 9% national sales tax): I don't believe it will take long for most conservatives to recognize the potential disaster of implementing a flat-rate income tax system and a national sales tax.

Good grief, Mr. Kuligowski. The more I read, the faster you bleed credibility.

What in Hell's Bells do you think we little conservatives have been talking about morning, noon and night since Cain's 999 plan to attention?

This very issue has been dissected every six days since Sunday and guess what, Mr. Kuligowski? A lot of well-informed, thoughtful, thorough, intelligent and experienced conservatives have reached -- gasp! -- an opposite conclusion.

Again, I'll keep reading, but not because I want to.

[B.O. Plenty]

I am for minimum tyranny and maximum freedom....

...if this means paying a little more for a consumption tax of any kind to get rid of the IRSTO (internal revenue service terrorist organization)...then I am for it....have been since '65, always will be from now on.

[fightinJAG]

During the Washington Post/Bloomberg Republican presidential debate, some of the candidates raised concerns about Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan. Rick Santorum asked, "How many people believe that we'll keep the income tax at 9 percent? Anybody? And what about the corporate and federal sales tax rates?"

Mr. Kuligowski lays another egg.

How many times, oh Lord, how many times must this ignorant canard be refuted with the mere repetition of common sense?

Mr. Kuligowski, I am plodding through your article. If you want to know what I'm talking about here as to the multiple, myriad, ridiculous repetitive refutations to this article, do me the favor and plow through just a few threads here on FR, where, according to you, the little duped conservatives dwell.