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Looking at tax alternatives
The Edmund Sun ^ | April 20, 2006 | Bob O’Bar

Posted on 04/22/2006 5:39:00 AM PDT by Eaglewatcher

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To: robertpaulsen

That's assuming the item is sold here. But again, I live in FL, funded solely on sales tax. We all knwo what the item costs, and what the taxes are on top of it.

All the FairTax does is take our current tax burden out of the shadows and splatter it all over a sales receipt for everyone to see.

The psychological effects of that are worth it all. We currently have a nation of ignoramuses who think that if they get a refund in May, they're really screwing the IRS! Meanwhile, our entire economy is depressed because of them, and withholding is the novicaine that dopes up the overburdened taxpayer.


41 posted on 04/22/2006 1:10:47 PM PDT by ovrtaxt (My donation to the GOP went here instead: http://www.minutemanhq.com/hq/index.php)
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To: robertpaulsen

Are you so damnably ignorant of how the FairTax would operate that you make such idiotic assumptions?? Guess so - or maybe you're just adamantly opposed to the FairTax no matter what because you like the Status Quo so much.

Many of the things imported will not be taxed at all since they go into items for resale. Of those taxed as standalone things, raising their price will have the effect of reducing their sales unless the maker finds ways to lower his prices to offset some or all of the tax.

You make the ridiculous assumption that all imported things are taxed (they aren't) and that something that might cause a boost in price at first will stay at that level forever (it won't). In fact, there's ample lead time after the FairTax bill passes before it takes effect for foreign manufacturers to make such adjustments.

You may not understand how the market forces operate (obviously you don't) - but they're going to go right on operating that way regardless of your beliefs.

The US goods exported being cheaper may help foreign buyers, but primarily the benefits will redound to the benefit of the US manufacturers and the US economy. Your thinking is really screwed up, robert.

As for US goods prices undercutting that of foreign manufacturers and those countries adding a punitive tariff to gain an advantage, it's clearly safe to say that you know nothing of the WTO agreements (which, BTW, presently keep us from artificially removing our income tax costs from goods while the FairTax structure complies with WTO regs and DOES allow it). It's not so easy any more so that you can add or remove costs (taxes, tariffs) to export items under such an agreement. Just ask the US State department (and/or the Dept. of Commerce) which has been trying to find ways to remove our tax costs from goods presently and isn't allowed to under the WTO agreements which also restrict tariffs.


42 posted on 04/22/2006 1:21:41 PM PDT by pigdog
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To: robertpaulsen

Again, if they wish to take advantage of the Fair Tax, they can move their operations to the U.S.

Do you understand why many shipping companies run foreign flags on their ships?
http://www.lowtax.net/lowtax/html/offon/greece/gressm.html
It's because of our corporate taxes.

There are many countries with lower taxes on corporations;
http://www.lowtax.net/lowtax/html/offon/offonhom.html
-and that is why they are located there.


43 posted on 04/22/2006 1:26:42 PM PDT by FBD (surf's up!)
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To: lewislynn

Once again, Looey you're missing the discussion (and are wrong to boot).

What was being discussed was the claim by this poster that his company paid no tax when they purchased something from another company today. I was pointing out that his observation was untrue. The argument had nothing to do with the relative amount of the tax costs he's actually paying vs the FairTax - NOTHING!!!

If you can't read and understand (talk about carrying coal to Newcastle ... we actually know you can't from the many posts where you've demonstrated this), then stay out of the discussion.


44 posted on 04/22/2006 1:31:44 PM PDT by pigdog
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To: robertpaulsen

You're wrong on both counts. The present tax may be "built in" but it is you who pays it.

His competitors will force him to lower his prices since their costs will also drop and they'd no doubt like to carve out a piece of his business for themselves if he doesn't respond. This applies whether its a US or offshore situation.


45 posted on 04/22/2006 1:35:36 PM PDT by pigdog
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To: robertpaulsen

Absolutely incorrect reasoning, robert.


46 posted on 04/22/2006 1:36:47 PM PDT by pigdog
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To: robertpaulsen
Currently, if my company buys something for resale, my company pays no tax. If my company buys capital equipment, it's tax deductible. So there's no "business-to-business" tax today.

I think you mean that my suppliers will charge me less for their products which means I can charge less to my customer. As I stated before, I don't believe it for a minute.

You're assumption of what you thought I meant to say couldn't be more off base. Corporations pay taxes to the IRS. This a cost that is passed onto all customers of that business, including other businesses. Each business in turn passes on that cost. The result is embedded/Value Added Taxes(VATS)at each stage of production. Companies are therefore paying a business to business tax. The Fair Tax will eliminate taxes on business transactions. Consequently all embedded/VATS will be eliminated.
47 posted on 04/22/2006 2:19:39 PM PDT by Man50D
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To: Tzimisce

You can get on our side and help us push. Any other stand makes your prediction all the more likely.

Our history has many examples of things that the grassroots has forced on government. We can do this too.

C'mon over. You'll make lots of great new friends (and a few enemies -- like those who protect the status quo) and you'll be doing a great thing for America and yourself and kids and their kids and . . .


48 posted on 04/22/2006 2:26:46 PM PDT by Badray
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To: robertpaulsen

That bridge in Brooklyn . . .

Why don't you take a flying leap from it?

What is your interest in keeping this Marxist tax?


49 posted on 04/22/2006 2:29:38 PM PDT by Badray
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To: robertpaulsen

Wow!

Your ignorance -- presuming that you aren't just lying -- is astounding.

Are you being paid to spread this nonsense?


50 posted on 04/22/2006 2:32:37 PM PDT by Badray
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To: Badray
What's the lie? C'mon. Pick it apart. Tell me where I'm lying.

You got nothin'. What a waste of my time.

51 posted on 04/22/2006 3:59:20 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: Badray
Kiss my a$$. You're rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic with this stupid "Fair Tax" boondoggle.

The government's proposing a $2.8 trillion budget for 2007, and you're trying to figure out a better way to give it to them. Cut spending to 10% of GDP, THEN figure out the best way to give it to Congress.

52 posted on 04/22/2006 4:05:34 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: FBD
"There are many countries with lower taxes on corporations ... and that is why they are located there."

Is that right? I thought it was the cheap labor cost.

Taxes, huh? Learn something every day.

53 posted on 04/22/2006 4:14:41 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: Man50D
"Companies are therefore paying a business to business tax."

You're defining the business to business tax as the hidden corporate income tax built into the product I'm buying. Is that your own definition? And I was suppose to know that how?

Whatever. If I pay $100 for the product, how much of that $100 is this hidden "business to business" tax? Just an estimate will be fine so I know what you're talking about.

54 posted on 04/22/2006 4:21:23 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: pigdog
"Absolutely incorrect reasoning, robert."

How much will an imported DVD player cost me under the Fair Tax if it costs $100 today?

Defend any price lower than $130. with a solid economic argument (not "they'll have to find a way to lower the price to be competitive" bull$hit).

55 posted on 04/22/2006 4:26:57 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: robertpaulsen; Man50D
I will answer that for you.

Right now we pay the taxes of the Manufacture, the distributor, and the Marketer. If you believe corporations pay taxes, then I have some beach front property in Afghanistan to sell you.

Who pays all the marked up taxes. Your answer is you and me as the consumer and individual tax payer.

The Fair Tax would be a radical transfer of power from the government to the people. You will only be taxed by what you consumed.
56 posted on 04/22/2006 4:29:46 PM PDT by Sprite518
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To: Sprite518
"Your answer is you and me as the consumer and individual tax payer."

But of course. I don't argue that. I never did.

I'm asking just how big a bite that is. Do you know? How much of that $100 item is hidden corporate taxes of the Manufacture, the distributor, and the Marketer?

Is it $10. $25.? $50? Is it maybe $3.? Give me a number. Can you?

57 posted on 04/22/2006 4:35:57 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: robertpaulsen
I'm asking just how big a bite that is. Do you know? How much of that $100 item is hidden corporate taxes of the Manufacture, the distributor, and the Marketer?

Is it $10. $25.? $50? Is it maybe $3.? Give me a number. Can you?


Under the current system, about 23% percent of the price of that 100 dollar item is tax collected throughout the production chain. So you really purchased a $77 dollar item and 23 dollars of Hidden tax.
58 posted on 04/22/2006 4:50:02 PM PDT by Man50D
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To: robertpaulsen

Pick what apart? All you do is take cheap shot one liners. I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you were merely ignorant of the FairTax.


59 posted on 04/22/2006 4:53:58 PM PDT by Badray
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To: robertpaulsen

No, I don't think that I will.

Tell me how successful you have been in the last 8, 16, 24 or even 40 years in getting spending down?

Do you have any support in Congress for your proposal to cut 90% of spending?

Has anyone introduced your plan? Has the president pledged to sign it if it hits his desk?

Do you have a plan to win over the American people in support of your plan?

Have you convinced all of the special interests groups to forsake their desire for government (taxpayer) largesse?

No, I don't think you do, can, or will. I think that it is more likely that you are protecting the status quo for some narrow self interest and are just hiding behind your '90% spending cut' BS.


60 posted on 04/22/2006 5:02:12 PM PDT by Badray
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