[max61]

Until such time as the problem of excess federal government is resolved, the system of taxation is moot.

Alexander Hamilton never anticipated a federal tax on income nor what is defined today as income. Consumption today has an entirely different meaning than it did on the 18th century.

---max

[Principled]

Until such time as the problem of excess federal government is resolved, the system of taxation is moot.

I disagree. I believe the method of taxation is indeed part of the reason spending goes unchecked. By instituting a method that does not allow this, we'd "stop the bleeding". If the new system also created an environment in which REDUCING taxes (and hence spending) was rewarded we would go beyond "stopping the bleeding" and we would then have turned the spending tide.

It is not reasonable to suppose that the method of taxation is unrelated to the spending problem.

[Bigun]

Until such time as the problem of excess federal government is resolved, the system of taxation is moot.

I STRONGLY disagree!

IMHO getting a tax system in place that will reveal to EVERY Tom, Dick , and Harry the TRUE cost of government with every purchace is a precedant to accomplishing a reduction in the size and scope of government!

[pigdog]

Sorry, max, but consumption is consumption both now and then. The things consumed may differ, but they are still consumption.

Agreed that federal spending is out of control and needs to be greatly reduced. No one is arguing otherwise. In fact, the FairTax actually reduces government spending by the same mechanism that reduces consumer prices.

That does not mean that more reduction should not be made, but it IS one hell of a good start in the right direction.

Little Willie was "The Worst President In American History".