[George Frm Br00klyn Park]

Guys, A flat tax on income with no deductions and/or exemptions would have EVERYBODY interested in keeping the percentage low, and thus government smaller. ESPECIALLY those with the time and wherewithal to pay attention and have a VERY large impact on those who set that single percentage.

The NRST creates a class of people who will have very little interest in keeping the bite low. And, that class is the most influential in the country. The same bottle of wine costs rich and poor the same with an NRST.

I still imagine the British governors sitting in their dens sipping cognac or brandy discussing raising the sales tax on tea. I used to laugh at the picture. Peace and love, George.

[JohnGalt]

As a radical localist, the national sales tax would promote a rampant localized black market and certainly reward the local economy.

However, I think the flat tax coupled with an abolish of the withholding tax is the best remedy for promoting self-government.

[Taxman]

George, consider your statement carefully.

There is no distinction between the Flat Income Tax (FIT) and the National Retail Sales Tax (NRST) in respect of taxpayer pressure to keep the rate low.

Economically (to an economist, that is), the FIT and the NRST are equivalents.

The difference is that the NRST promotes FReedom and Liberty while respecting our God given right to privacy whereas the FIT is still an income tax, and the poor taxpayers will still have to file income tax returns.

I do not believe it is anybody's business how much money I or anyone else makes, particulary some government pogue in the IRS!

The issue is a FReedom issue, George, and all other issues re: fundamental tax reform are subservient!

[Principled]

Here's where I disagree:

1)A flat tax on income with no deductions and/or exemptions would have EVERYBODY interested in keeping the percentage low

Taxes would be hidden and embedded as they are now. Folks would fail to realize their true tax burden - as is the case now.

We would still have withholding from our paychecks.

We would still have FICA taxes withheld.

We would still have an IRS.

We would still be allowing the feds to decide how much of our money they're going to take.

2)The NRST creates a class of people who will have very little interest in keeping the bite low.

That assertion is flawed IMHO. It presumes that those who spend less will not desire lower taxes. That's just silly.

3)The same bottle of wine costs rich and poor the same with an NRST.

As it should be. Why should a product cost different amounts for individuals with different wealth???

[Bigun]

A flat tax on income with no deductions and/or exemptions would have EVERYBODY interested in keeping the percentage low, and thus government smaller.

EVERYBODY covers a whole lot of territory George! Would that include the drug dealer who made $300K selling PCP laced toke to our kids down on the corner George? Or the back room poker player, or the prostitute, or the...? All have $0 legal income you know. You actually believe they are going to run to the taxman and ask him how much do I owe on the $300K I made last year selling dope? If so I got some swamp land over in the Arabian desert I need to sell and you seem like a GOOD candidate for the purchase!

They WOULD pay under the NRST when he bought their gold chains and Mercedes however now wouldn't they?

[Bigun]

The NRST creates a class of people who will have very little interest in keeping the bite low. And, that class is the most influential in the country. The same bottle of wine costs rich and poor the same with an NRST.

Well DUH! This IS The United States of America George! You know the place where EVERYONE is supposed to be equal under the law!

Oh! BTW, the KEY element you are overlooking here is that, under the NRST, EVERYONE would get a powerful inducement to reign in the government with the purchase of that bottle of wine and EVERYTHING else they happen to purchase! They would get a detailed reciept showing exactly the extent of the governments bite and, under that condition, I garantee you that the government would SOON begin to shrink!