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???
Taxman:
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!
To: JohnGalt
The black market would shrink under the NRST. Think it all the way through.
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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?
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Guys, Please see post 99 on the differences between taxation between earnings classes as you seemed to have missed it in the well written article by Joan. Do any of you really think{?} that those making millions of dollars to encourage lawmaker, and lawmakers themselves, while sitting in their dens drinking scotch, bourbon, cognac, brandy, or their favorite wine will have as much incentive to keep the NRST rate low as does Joe and Jane "Sixpack" who spend their every dollar just to get by?
The blackmarket would not be curtailed unless godgov somehow knew how much that "drug dealer" earned in order to compare it to his expenditures. The "$300k" paid to the dealer to buy product would still not be taxed. Perhaps, we should adopt the "Smart Card' as the only way to purchase rather than cash as many have proposed? Why is it anyone's "right" to know what I buy, and not what I make?
So far, the only verifiable facts as to the effect on different classes has been on taxes that must be paid under the NRST, and my comparison with an FIT to the same levels of earners. ALL else has been conjecture, yet I am assailed for my "fears of what might be". This thead gets funnier by the posting. Peace and love, George.