Best idea ever.

[DaFunky1]

I like the idea of a consumption tax... but I have a few concerns with it...

Under the plan at fairtax.org, there will still be an IRS/welfare type entity in place.

"Perhaps most importantly, to ensure that no American will pay tax on necessities, the FairTax plan provides a prepaid, monthly rebate for every registered household to cover the 23% consumption tax spent on necessities up to the federal poverty level. This is how the FairTax completely untaxes the poor, and lowers the tax burden on everyone else."

The amendment that allows for a nation sales tax as we currently see it will need to be abolished. If not once a tax hungry president gets into power he might say "the national sales tax does not create income sufficient for the federal government to operate and we must reinstate the income tax again." There has to be a provision if the income tax is reinstated that the flat tax must be abolished. We can't have both or we won't have any money to live off of.

There should be exemptions on food, and any true staples or health related items needed for living. Under the "fairtax" plan the poor pay no taxes (if under the poverty level).

Services will now be taxed. Imagine taking your car in to have some serious work on it. I under this plan my bill would have increased from $288 to 354... $66 more in taxes.

Personally, I like the ideas... I doubt the 20-30% reduction in prices touted as a side effect for goods will be realized by the consumers. Cash registers can be programed to tax what should be taxed and what shouldn't, so there is no need for rebate checks... extra cost and a waste of tax money.

The plan would get those who buy $200,000 vehicles as well as those who by $20,000 vehicles both at 23%, which would be fair. 23% is 23% regardless of the dollar amount. Used cars, used homes and used clothing are exempt from the consumption tax.. that is fair since tax had already been paid on it once.

The part I like most about this plan is in this line here from the site... "So, in deciding what to buy, you get to choose whether or not you will pay the federal consumption tax." fiscal responsibility is turned over to me. I can choose to save, which actually does help the economy by creating more capital available for companies to borrow and invest equipment for their businesses, or buy a big screen tv. I can say this with certainty.... If the fairtax does go into effect, my spending habits will change. Each time I realize that for every $10 I spend $3 is going out in taxes (state and federal), I will be less likely to spend my money.

If you guys want more information on the fairtax plan check out the website at www.fairtax.org

Peace

[Art]

Sorry DB, I had meant to respond, but have had precious little posting time and forgot. Here goes .

"Okay Art,

Now we get down to a disagreement. In some ways I am a fairly left leaning individual, yet I would not contribute a dime towards the fund. And my reasons are simple. I would like to see better classrooms, but If I donate to the fund, I boost education by such a small amount even if I give up my whole income, that it is not worth it."

True. If you, and you alone were to do it. But, if left leaning individuals decided to actually live by their beliefs instead of making others live by them you'd make a big difference. No one is preventing you and those like you from giving as much of your tax money as you could possibly want. And, judging from the greater wealth of Democratic Senators and Congressmen, we know you guys have enough money to make a difference. So, make one. When it's still not enough you can then come to me and explain how come I should care one bit about some other guy's kid and how come I should give my money to him.

"As a liberal my goals are the following:

1.) ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity from birth to reach any position in the U.S."

Already there. Mission accomplished.

"2.) ensure that no one goes without neccesary health care."

No one does. We give mandatory urgent, which would be necessary, care to all people. Even people who aren't Americans. Now, I realize you mean something other than this. To what you mean, I'll say while a noble thought, you're in the wrong country. We aren't socialist. We aren't based on the government taking care of each of us. If you want that, move to a place that has it, but don't try to twist America and make it Canada. That's what Canada is for

"3.) Get rid of some laws. (Republicans like this one, smaller government!) really. ending bans on abortions, drugs, giving gays rights. (I don't care if you won't call it marriage, but give them the same tax exemptions) "

I'm all for this. Let's get rid of all Federal laws altogether on abortion, as an example. Meaning, let's quit pretending abortion is a Constitutionally protected Federal right and put it back in the hands of the states. As for "gay rights" you open a seriously dangerous path. Why should we give special, additional rights to one sexual perversion over another? Gays also have every right that all of us have. If gays chose not to exercise those rights that's up to them, but why would you want to actually empower a special class for people of any sort? This is where the well-intentioned liberal has a problem. Being gay is fine. But, gay is not a race. It's not a religion. It's not a class. Gay or straight you have the same rights. A gay person can get married and have kids too.

I know you want to offer special treatment and rights to this special class of people, but, that's a direct violation of what we stand for. We have rules on marriage such that an adult can't marry a child. People can't get married to more than one person. This kind of thing. My best friend has lived with the same woman for 11 years. They don't deserve rights that I have with my wife. Anymore than a guy I work with who's lived with the same man for 11 years deserves.

But, since we're at making government smaller, let's remove all social programs as well, yes?

"Okay, so we can debate all the above until the cows come home as to thier legitimacy, but I think One could argue that the above represents the platform of the moderate liberal. Not the socialist mind you, but the moderate. No where is the thought that giving up more money alone will do anything to increase my utility."

Actually, you'd be clearly socialist. Just on your universal health care idea you'd qualify. You believe everyone should be given health care on the public's dime. That makes you a socialist. It's ok to be a socialist, but don't run from it. Embrace it. Argue it. Prove why it's right for America when it's never been right anywhere else .

"To be more specific, you're right I can't want to spend money to send someone else to go to school and then not do it, but the point is that getting someone else to go to scholl has benefits for me. First I like seeing other people do well. Second, It is good for the economy. Capitolism is driven by competition, and the more we can get people to compete for jupbs the better off we'll be. Now, I as a rational agent would want to raise taxes but would not want to contribute to this fund, because it takes away other things that I like at such a cost with almost no return."

Probably as recently as 20 years ago you could get a fairly good job with a high school diploma. College degrees got you better jobs. Now, a college degree is starting to take on a high school degree feel. You need more education to get ahead. You've created competition. You've forced my sister to plan on going to and being involved with educational institutions at least until she's 31 years old. My beautiful, wonderful, Harvard masters and PHD holding sister will probably never actually have a job in the world and as great as her pedigree is, she actually thinks Israel is guilty of suicide bombings. She's heard so much that Israel conducts terrorism against the people of Palestine so much that she didn't even decide to check what that meant. She was certain it meant they did the same things in return. So, trust me, my sister is as competitive with a mildly retarded monkey in terms of knowing anything despite being pretty book impressive.

There's absolutely no benefit to me for me to pay for my neighbor's college education. College doesn't prepare people for work. Work prepares people. But, more than that, kids can go to school. Take a loan. Pay the loan back. You want to go to Kansas but can't afford it? Take a year off and work. Become a Kansas resident. Then, get the cheaper cost.

Everything you believe in can actually be accomplished simply by being an American and by living as one. But, you, as a rational agent would prefer people like me take care of things you are unwilling to take care of. That's not nice. But, at least you did admit it and I respect that .