[Technogeeb]

Dang it! What is basic food? Beans?

Basic food is whatever you buy at a grocery store (whether it is beans or sirloin steak or caviar). It would not, however, include prepared food purchased at a restaurant or through any other food service industry.

What is basic housing?

Basic housing is a home that is purchased or rented as a primary dwelling. It would not include hotel rooms or similar temporary dwellings.

[Principled]

HR2525 makes no reference whatsoever to specific items that are tax free. THe reference you read about necessities being "untaxed" is a reference to the "prebate"... a check in the amount of taxes to be paid on necessites in a given month based on family size.

EG I have a wife and a kid, so i'd receive a check at the first of each month (just the SS recips do now) representing the taxes my family will pay on our necessities for the month. The "prebate" amount is figured by multiplying the tax rate (23%) by the HHS defined poverty level for a family of said size.

Under the nrst, the feds don't pretend to know what is necessary for you nor anyone else. Under the nrst, the feds **GASP** leave it up to individuals as to what they decide is "necessary".

No tax system is perfect - the nrst is the best option IMO