If you claim to be sure that the revenue-neutral number is 23.0% and not 23.1%, then you are either BS'ing me or delusional.
I'll repeat it again, in another way, since no one seems to be listening:
If the rate were 99%, that rate still wouldn't be an honest argument against the revenue neutral FairTax, since all the NRST would be doing is making visible what is already being taken now under the mostly hidden Stupid Tax.
To argue against the FairTax on the basis of the level of its intitial revenue neutral rate is in fact to argue for the status quo...a status quo of hidden, utterly inefficient and invasive taxation.
If you claim to be sure that the revenue-neutral number is 23.0% and not 23.1%, then you are either BS'ing me or delusional
I don't, I figure the revenue neutral number to be closer to 18-20% tax inclusive not 23%. Based on current federal revenues collected through income, payroll and gift estate taxes as a percent of reported annual national retail sales in the U.S.
If you claim to be sure that the revenue-neutral number is 23.0% and not 23.1%, then you are either BS'ing me or delusional.
I'm still waiting for your answer.
The reply to you in 903, was a question about what you figure the revenue-neutral number to be.
It was not about the tax rate stated in the legislation, which is indeed "23 percent" of gross payment as defined for 2007 implementation of HR25.
Perhaps you would like to answer the questions instead of digressing, or wandering off on some debate over a hypothetical rate of 23.0 or 23.1%. Rates which I don't view as even close to the actual much lower "revenue-neutral" value that would be established with a full economic study based on current economy, government revenue under current tax cuts that have been implemented since the 1999 introduction of the FairTax legislation.
1) What common measure should be used to specify tax rates so they can be compared between the different proposals out there, whether they be NRST, Flat Tax, VAT, or some lesser modification of the graduated income tax?
2) What is your estimate of that realizable revenue neutral rate for this discussion, framing the debate around the actual criteria the president has laid down recognizing the legislation replaces all federal income, payroll and gift/estate taxes?