Posted on 10/15/2010 6:17:09 PM PDT by Bigtigermike
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels opened the door Thursday to supporting both a value added tax and a tariff on imported oil, bold proposals that could cause trouble for him with conservatives as he flirts with a long-shot bid for the presidency.
The Republican, staying mum about his 2012 plans, was the guest of honor at a dinner sponsored by the conservative Hudson Institute. He received an award named for Herman Kahn, the legendary nuclear theorist who founded the respected institute 49 years ago and helped inspire the character “Dr. Strangelove” in the movie by the same name.
Daniels recited from Kahn’s book: “It would be most useful to redesign the tax system to discourage consumption and encourage savings and investment. One obvious possibility is a value added tax and flat income tax, with the only exception being a lower standard deduction.”
Daniels also suggested support for increasing gasoline taxes. Kahn wrote, in a passage Daniels read from Thursday, “One fully justifiable tax would be on imported oil. Any large importation of oil by the U.S. raises security problems. There are, in effect, external costs associated with importing oil that a tariff would internalize.
“Now, maybe that transgresses some philosophical viewpoint of yours,” Daniels told the well-heeled crowd of 250. “But to me, that’s an interesting point today, just as valid as the day he wrote it.
“Now, none of us is Herman’s equal. But we are all his heirs, if we choose to be,” he added.
These comments come on the heels of a September profile in Newsweek, in which Daniels said tax increases might be necessary to tackle the federal deficit. “At some stage, there could well be a tax increase,” Daniels told the magazine. “They say we can’t have grown-up conversations. I think we can.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Well, I was born in Pa, dad was from Harrisburg, and I like those old sayings.
In fact I’ve taught them to my sons.
My oldest is 30 & my younger one is 7
The 7year old hasn’t the need to learn that one yet. :) :)
Mitch is an idiot. Bye-Bye!!
He’s becoming “pragmatic” before his time. bye-bye!!!!
A flat tax OR a national consumption tax is looking at—not both.
If I'm reading you right, you're in favor of a flat tax or a consumption tax - just not both (and certainly not a VAT).
I'd say that most conservatives would agree with that. Personally, I'd prefer that we replaced the current income tax with a national consumption tax, but I have a feeling that the flat tax is going to be an easier sale to Congress and the American people.
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