Posted on 05/27/2009 5:38:44 AM PDT by GreaterSwiss
With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax.
Common around the world, including in Europe, such a tax -- called a value-added tax, or VAT -- has not been seriously considered in the United States. But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity.
At a White House conference earlier this year on the government's budget problems, a roomful of tax experts pleaded with Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner to consider a VAT. A recent flurry of books and papers on the subject is attracting genuine, if furtive, interest in Congress. And last month, after wrestling with the White House over the massive deficits projected under Obama's policies, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee declared that a VAT should be part of the debate.
"There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform," Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said in an interview. "I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Where are they going? I might want to be there, too.
I wondered when this Obamanation of an idea was going to surface. Odds of the Obamanistas pushing thru a VAT in “this time of crisis?” >> 100%
Forget the tar.
Forget the feathers.
Forget the rope.
BASEBALL BATS!..........................
“Drop the income tax, cut spending, and put a national sales tax of 10%, and thats IT for taxes, I am all for it. Add it to the already levied taxes and fees we currently pay, and I think it may be the catylist to a revolt. Too many of the rich will leave, and I don’t blame them. Soyent green should be re released in theaters nationwide.......”
This national sales tax HAS and always will BE a SCAM. It’s never going to be implemented as you suggest. I have always been against this and for a flat tax.
So now all the folks who kept this alive like Hucklebee will now watch their dream be implemented by the national socialists.
The end of freedom is near.
“I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table.”
For all of those who said that the FairTax would only result in both a sales tax and an income tax, well you now have it. To bad, the FairTax legislation would have outlawed it.
Enjoy.
Why don’t they just propose slavery? They might as well because we all are going to be living on the street.
These people must go ASAP.
Rahm’s brother says yes, but BOTH my mother AND my sister say no.
That’s two to one. We win.
With a VAT, they don’t need to keep the income tax.
I just talked to both of my brothers and my sister and they said, "NO!" So that settles that, Rahm. You lost.
AH! I just posted the same thing. Great minds...
“a national sales tax.
Common around the world, including in Europe, such a tax — called a value-added tax, or VAT —”
Lori,
Get your apples away from my oranges.
Sincerely,
CSM
Our own government (dems and pubs alike) will be responsible for the destruction of our nation.
National suicide.
It is treasonous to allow the Chinese government to dictate policy in America via monetary arm twisting, Saudi’s to dictate our energy policy.
We as American citizens need to take this ol bull by the horns. The republican and democrat parties are subservient to the almighty dollar.......that's the crime.
America needs a nationalist party to challenge the corruption in government and help restore America to her greatness.
We are dying as a nation.
That would be Michael Eisner, big Clinton contributor, former head of Disney, and who executed 200 million of options in the last week of 92 to take a huge capital gain that year instead of in 93 when the rate went up retroactively to Jan 93 passed by the democrats and Clinton.
The fairtaxers I know are solidly behind the repeal of the income tax as a prerequisite of the Fairtax being put in place.
Just wait until the 2010 census figures kick in. We ain't seen nothin' yet!
I'm going to agreee with that and that attitude is infecting all demographic groups.
Carribean, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Singapore, longterm cruise ships.
Which Republicans are pushing this flat tax? This has not shown on my radar and I’m looking for more information.
IMO, the underground economy is already massive...has been for years. Now that the statute of limitations has run out I can admit that I also was part of that "cash and barter only" economy for about six years of my working life, with no gov't assistance.
Back in the late 80's there were a couple set up by and for professional services. I knew a doctor who belonged to one. I wonder if they're still around.
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