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Cain's Tax Mutiny. New national sales tax on top of the income tax is a political killer
Wall Street Journal ^ | Oct 7, 2011 | WSJ Editorial

Posted on 10/08/2011 4:09:26 PM PDT by Clairity

The real political defect of the Cain plan is that it imposes a new national sales tax while maintaining the income tax. Mr. Cain's rates are seductively low, but the current income tax was introduced in 1913 with a top rate of 7% amid promises that it would never exceed 10%. By 1918 the top rate was 77%.

Part of Mr. Cain's appeal is his willingness to challenge political convention, and he certainly has with his tax proposal. Voters like that he isn't a lifetime politician but a successful business owner who has met a payroll and created jobs. But his endorsement of a sales tax on top of the income tax is a political gamble that would eventually finance an even larger entitlement state. Better to reform the devil we know—the income tax—than to introduce another devil and end up with ever-rising rates of both.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 999; biggovernment; cain; commie; eurovat; hermancain; lie; periwinklelies; perrybotliars; perryclowns; perryromneyvp; pizzaman; rinos4perry; taxes
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To: Clairity

Complete nonsense

The same argument being placed here applies even more so to the current system. There is nothing to stop the current tax rates being hiked 20-50-80%

This argument is completely without any rational merit. It is the desperate flailing around by the status quo bots desperate to keep the current political crony rewarding tax system in place.

Every complaint being levied at the Cain plan is even more relevant to the current corrupt failed tax system.

Raising tax rates is actually harder under 9-9-9 since everyone pays so it is impossible to hide tax hikes as being only “on business” or “on the rich”

No tax system will ever be perfect. 9-9-9 elminated most of the current failed corrupt flaws in the current system while adding NO new flaws.

Arguing, as this author is, that we should cling to our current failed system because any replacement will not be absolutely perfect is childish and irrational.


121 posted on 10/08/2011 6:15:56 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: teenyelliott
Very true; the half that pay NOTHING right now.
122 posted on 10/08/2011 6:18:07 PM PDT by Hugin ("A man'll usually tell you his bad intentions if you listen and let yourself hear it"--- Open Range)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Thank you. You sum up my thoughts exactly. What is it that makes some people worship the latest self-promoting egomaniac who suddenly decides that he (or she) should be president? The Democrats did it with Obama and now some Republicans are doing it with Cain. Don’t vet the guy, don’t check to see if he’s paid his taxes or if he has skeletons in his closet that are about to fall out. Just jump on the bandwagon ‘cause you REALLY like the guy and ‘cause he’s a REAL conservative. It’s pathetic.


123 posted on 10/08/2011 6:19:50 PM PDT by WestSylvanian
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To: trisham

What lie?

The problem I have with all proposed tax overhauls so far is they have no inherent limiting factor. Cain’s 9-9-9 plan will become the 10-10-10 plan, and the 11-11-11-11-11-0-11-11 plan, as focused rates go up, tax targets proliferate, and manipulative exemptions abound.

Send the states bills once a year, and cash 50 checks a few weeks later. The IRS should be two guys working 4 days a year. Let the states figure out where the money is coming from, and let people vote with their feet which solution they want to be subjected to. And let the states, as powerful entities, say “that’s enough, you’re not getting any more.”

Taxing the little guy coming and going, paycheck to cash register, invites trouble.


124 posted on 10/08/2011 6:19:55 PM PDT by ctdonath2 ($1 meals: http://abuckaplate.blogspot.com/)
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To: Lauren BaRecall
Since between state, federal and local taxes you are all ready paying between 45 and 50% of every dollar you earn in taxes, you would gain under 9-9-9.

Oh did catch that did you? 9-9-9 eliminates all forms of hidden taxation you are currently paying.

125 posted on 10/08/2011 6:20:14 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: Hugin

As as been pointed out to you dozens of times, your same complaint applies even more so to the current system.

The same argument being placed here applies even more so to the current system. There is nothing to stop the current tax rates being hiked 20-50-80%

Every complaint being levied at the Cain plan is even more relevant to the current corrupt failed tax system.

Raising tax rates is actually harder under 9-9-9 since everyone pays so it is impossible to hide tax hikes as being only “on business” or “on the rich”

No tax system will ever be perfect. 9-9-9 elminated most of the current failed corrupt flaws in the current system while adding NO new flaws.

Arguing, as this author is, that we should cling to our current failed system because any replacement will not be absolutely perfect is childish and irrational


126 posted on 10/08/2011 6:21:45 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: FReepers; everyone; All


2011 Q4 FReepathon.Target: $88,000

Receipts & Pledges to-date: $9,135


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You're posting here!
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127 posted on 10/08/2011 6:23:22 PM PDT by onyx (You're here on FR so, support it! Compiling New Sarah Palin Ping List! Tell me if you want on it!)
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To: CounterCounterCulture

The same argument being placed here applies even more so to the current system. There is nothing to stop the current tax rates being hiked 20-50-80%

This argument is completely without any rational merit. It is the desperate flailing around by the status quo bots desperate to keep the current political crony rewarding tax system in place.

Every complaint being levied at the Cain plan is even more relevant to the current corrupt failed tax system.

Raising tax rates is actually harder under 9-9-9 since everyone pays so it is impossible to hide tax hikes as being only “on business” or “on the rich”

No tax system will ever be perfect. 9-9-9 eliminates most of the current failed corrupt flaws in the current system while adding NO new flaws.

Arguing, as this author is, that we should cling to our current failed system because any replacement will not be absolutely perfect is childish and irrational.


128 posted on 10/08/2011 6:23:25 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: teenyelliott
Very true; the half that pay NOTHING right now.

That's untrue. Half the people don't pay any federal INCOME TAX because of the earned income tax credit. That doesn't mean they don't pay taxes. They pay payroll tax, federal excise taxes, property taxes (eithr directly or factored into the rent), corporate sale tax (as part of the cost of goods), etc. Income tax is only one of many taxes. There is a huge difference.

129 posted on 10/08/2011 6:23:33 PM PDT by Hugin ("A man'll usually tell you his bad intentions if you listen and let yourself hear it"--- Open Range)
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To: MNJohnnie

Why...Johnnie Ringo...

I actually agree with you some. This system sucks, too.

The fair tax, my friend, is the way to go, and it MUST be implemented by a constitutional amendment that SIMULTANEOUSLY: (1) repeals the 16th amendment income tax, (2) prohibits congress from imposing any legislative income tax, and (3) establishes and sets a limit on a national retail sales tax.


130 posted on 10/08/2011 6:24:27 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! True Supporters of our Troops PRAY for their VICTORY!)
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To: teenyelliott
Y'all can stick up for the status quo on the IRS till you are blue in the face. I will vote for ANY candidate who swears to get rid of them.

Would you vote for a candidate who says he will double your taxes? I think not, so if you wouldn't then why would anyone else? If Cain actually thinks that all those people whose taxes he is planning to raise are stupid enough to vote for him then I think he's going to be disappointed. People aren't that dumb.

131 posted on 10/08/2011 6:25:14 PM PDT by SoJoCo
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To: JCG

So Herman Cain is now the second coming of George Washington.

God help us all! LOL


132 posted on 10/08/2011 6:25:38 PM PDT by Reagan Man ("In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.")
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To: MNJohnnie
Raising tax rates is actually harder under 9-9-9 since everyone pays so it is impossible to hide tax hikes as being only “on business” or “on the rich”

Nonsense. Tax rates are easy to change, compared to adding new taxes. They can be done by a simple majority, with no filibuster. So they can easily increase the business tax to 12% and unless you own a business, the average person won't care.

133 posted on 10/08/2011 6:26:13 PM PDT by Hugin ("A man'll usually tell you his bad intentions if you listen and let yourself hear it"--- Open Range)
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To: SoJoCo

Except for the company that’s smart enough to drop their prices when others aren’t so as to increase sales. This isn’t fantasy. It’s the history of competitive capitalism.


134 posted on 10/08/2011 6:26:48 PM PDT by william clark (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
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To: Revolting cat!
Communism was easier to defeat than the D.C. Establishment and its 7 out of 10 wealthiest counties in the nation.

Very true. But Cain is the only one with real world business experience. I don't trust politicians anymore.

Cain is also the only one with any ideas to replace our Overlords at the IRS. At least he is talking about it, and I believe he is because he is a businessman and knows how to take bankrupt and turn it into success. He knows numbers.

No politician in the world wants to give up the power of legalized theft via threat of impoverishment and imprisonment. That is why very few of them will even bring up the idea of getting rid of the IRS. At the most they promise to tweak the code. Big whopeedo.

There are two scenarios with the US:

1. We re-elect Obama on purpose to cause the complete collapse, thereby destroying everything that has been put in place over the last 100 years, and rebuild the country the way the Founders intended, or

2. We try to dig our way out of the mess ( I am really not too hopeful about this, once people get free stuff you pretty much need a war to fend them off). To dig out, we must begin somewhere, and this guy seems to channel Reagan.

Even under Reagan spending and government increased. I'm not sure we can ever get back to basics.

But what do you do, elect another professional back-scratcher?

Perry is at best another George Bush. No thanks.

So while I wait for Attack of the Zombies, I am going to donate dollars to the one man who is in the race out of love for the country, rather than those who are in it for political gain.

135 posted on 10/08/2011 6:30:48 PM PDT by teenyelliott (www.therightscoop.com/herman-cain-brings-the-house-down-at-values-voter-summit/)
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To: SoJoCo
GE didn't pay taxes last year. I didn't see any big reduction in their price

And just what do YOU buy from GE? Nice try but a very silly response.

136 posted on 10/08/2011 6:31:28 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: xzins

I also support the Fair Tax, but holding out for a constitutional amemndment just means it will never get done, and will give Congress a perfect exuse to do nothing. They pass the amendment, then it goes to the states. There the people who are invested in the current system will spend billions to fight it everywhere, and prevent it from getting the needed 3/4 or the state legislatures. That will never happen. Then Congress can claim they have done their part, and it’s up to the states.

The better alternative is to repeal the income tax at the same time the Fair Tax is passed, then use political pressure to keep them from reinstating it.


137 posted on 10/08/2011 6:33:45 PM PDT by Hugin ("A man'll usually tell you his bad intentions if you listen and let yourself hear it"--- Open Range)
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To: SoJoCo
And 9% on all their income regardless of source.

In exchange for an abolition of the current system which taxes yout 40-45% of you income via direct and indirect taxation as well as elminates all forms of double taxation such as Capital Gains taxes Therefore you actually see a major reduction in your overall tax burden while at the same time majorly simplifying and clarifying the tax system.

138 posted on 10/08/2011 6:34:07 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: Clairity

I am sure I’ve eard Mr. Cain say aat least twice there would e no more income tax!


139 posted on 10/08/2011 6:35:01 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( I like Herman Cain)
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To: william clark
Except for the company that’s smart enough to drop their prices when others aren’t so as to increase sales. This isn’t fantasy. It’s the history of competitive capitalism.

Of course it is. So let me ask you this. In 2009 Exxon Mobile didn't pay any income tax. Did they use that savings to slash their prices thus undercutting their competition and gaining market share? I don't believe they did; their prices were the same as their competitors. So I guess they didn't study their history, huh?

140 posted on 10/08/2011 6:36:40 PM PDT by SoJoCo
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