it is pretty obvious why you don't usually weigh in on such issues. it is FAIR TAX not NO TAX. it has absolutely nothing to do with cutting funding for national defense or anything else. if anything, the party that is usually more pro national defense, the republicans, would come closer to supporting fair tax than would the democrats.

Frank:

I believe the FairTax has many benefits that might interest you. Sure, it’s being pushed by some rather crude individuals we might disagree with on many issues. However, in its proposed form, we only get taxed when we spend- not when we earn. Our paychecks would no longer have federal tax deductions. If we make $50,000 per year, we get that much. We also don’t get taxed for dying- the ultimate insult in my book. I’ve paid taxes all my life and now I have to pay tax on what I have already paid tax on before my kids can have a little something I’ve saved for them? Personally, I think that is deplorable. Another nice benefit is no more IRS and all those forms.

Under the FairTax, companies don’t get taxed on income anymore- only on end-user retail items. While this might seem a bit inequitable, the upside is that all the Billionaires running these companies lose all their cushy tax shelters. When they buy a new yacht, its 23% off the top going to the tax man. No more claiming the yacht as a “corporate expense" and writing it off. If they spend the money, they get taxed just like the rest of us. This also goes for criminals who probably don’t file the same forms we do. Under the FairTax, they finally get to pay their fair share too.

And another thing or two: Under the FairTax, offshore accounts go away. There’s no longer any benefit. Moreover, companies who have exported our jobs would be compelled to come back. With the FairTax in place, I do not believe the Pine Tree would be closing in Dahlonega. I think it would be expanding. More jobs, better economy, more earnings, more spending, and more revenue to the military to defend our shores.

The FairTax is set up to be revenue neutral which means the government presumably gets the same tax money as under the current system. But I truly believe that the incentives provided to companies, job expansion, and more freedom of choice given to the people under the FairTax would actually result in more government revenues. The simple fact that the money would be collected in the same way as sales tax means the government would get its share quicker and in a continuous stream rather than quarterly or yearly. As taxpayers, we would inherently pay the tax at the cash register. No more forms, no more H&R Block, and no more tax deadlines. A win win situation for all.

I will say this Frank, and to any other reader who might be more up to date on the FairTax program than I am, I find one flaw which has never been explained to me. Under the FairTax, how do we collect taxes on transactions which take place overseas?

Except for that one glitch, I think the FairTax is a good idea. Frank, perhaps you have checked the program out and still don’t like it. If not, I would encourage you to check it out with an open mind at Fairtax.org if it interests you.

Best Regards:

J.G.

Well Frank I was there protesting. The idea of Fairtax is not only does taxes pay for national defense but a lot of other programs that need funding. The idea is every pays. There are some folks not paying taxes including drug dealers, illegal immigrants and even big corporate business and persons who find loopholes. Frank, why are people wo work burdened with paying for it all. Why am I punished for working or better yet Why I am punished for working harder? For example overitme is taxed even heavier and the Government has given some companies the ability to escape paying. Social Security is predicted to be paying out mor ethan it takes in by the year 2012 if not sooner. Why do working people pay a FICA tax and others dont? Bottom line is tax reform is good for all Americans including American Soldiers and I can think of a better cause to do some could. Thats what our soldiers are fighting for. The ability for me to stand up and voice my opinion. I guess we could spend time carrying on pointless arguments over the school board.

Well, I suppose this blog is a testament to the power of the marxist ideal of a progressive income tax. It's been around so long many folks don't even question it.

Fairtax.org is not an anti-tax site. I have no idea how the author of this blog got that idea. Fairtax.org is the website of Americans for Fair Taxation.

This group supports _replacing_ federal income taxes. The group proposes that instead of paying taxes based on what you earn, instead pay on what you consume.

The proposal has 75 congressional cosponsors. It will raise the same revenue as the income tax. You may wish to consider looking at the fairtax.org site or http://thomas.loc.gov/ Library of Congress site [search HR 25] for the bill itself. It's quite short [a little over 100 pages] compared to the income tax code.

John Galt,

If a purchase is made overseas the item will be taxed when it enters the US. In fact, all that stuff Walmart orders from overseas will have the sales tax tacked on.

Hey Frankfirst,

Did you read anything about the FairTax? You may wish to consider doing so. Simply cranking out a blog because you can is, well, not advised. Better to keep your mouth shut and have us wonder if you're a fool than to blog and remove all doubt.

Links were provided. How is it you think that there is anyone who wants to eliminate all taxes? Don't you know what taxes are and what they pay for?

The folks at FairTax want to change the way the tax is collected, not the amount collected.

John Galt,

>>>>>>>>how do we collect taxes on transactions which take place overseas?<<<<<<<<<

US Customs will levy the tax on items coming to our shores.

No tax plan is perfect, and the FairTax has its share of warts - but it is far better than any alternative IMO.