Someone wrote to this blog saying Fairtax can still pass.
Are you kidding?
THe leaders have abandoned ship. No one is even trying to get a Congressional hearing. The 1.5 million man Fairtax rally in Washington was a total flop - NO ONE showed up.
There is nothing going on anywhere that we can see about Fairtax.
Very very strange -- especially since Fairtax was supposed to be so well "researched" with 70 sponsors in Congress, and hundreds of thousands - over a million -- active supporters.
In fact, Fairtax leaders are making sure there are NO hearings. Apparently Fairtax leaders seem more interested avoiding questions - particularly questions under oath -- about their plan.
So how on earth can it pass?? No one is pushing it. Its not only off the national radar -- its off its OWN radar. Even Fairtax supporters have nothing going on.
Thats probably because the leaders found out, what many of us said from the start. Fairtax is a farce. Literally, a farce. Not sort of a farce, not kind of a farce, its a total farce.
For one thing- its the highest sales tax on the planet earth. And it on your RENT. ITs on your UTILITIES. ITs on your car insurance.
And medical costs. These lunatics were going to put the highest sales tax on EARTH on your cancer surgery, chemo, on your child's dental work, on your ER visit.
So the parents of a child with leukemia could have to pay 100K in SALES taxes because they had the audacity to spend money to try to keep their child alive?
When you start to realize things like this -- you start to see the Fairtax would be wildly, absurdly unpopular. People won't like 100K is sales tax on their hospital bill, especially when they don't make half that.
Will renters just go ahead and pay thousands of dollars a year in sales tax on their rent? And food. And utilities. And virtually everything they buy?
Hell no they won't. And Fairtax leaders started to figure this basic fact out. So they wisely just walked away from this well meaning, but luney idea.
Now sit down a minute, and think. Think about this real real hard. Cause its real real easy. Do you really think people will WANT to pay the highest sales tax on earth, on their rent? Their car insurance? AND their medical cost, utilities, ect ect?
You see, few of Fairtax fans even KNOW what the plan is. Oh, they know the hype. THey know the BS. But they have no clue what the real plan is.
What do you think the impact would be if suddenly people were paying the highest sales tax on earth --- on their rent? No one else even charges a sales tax on -- and rent, but Fairtax idiotically pretends all renters will pay these insanely high taxes on their rent.
So Fairtax is a rent tax. Its also a medical tax.
A car insurance tax. A food tax. A utility tax. A cancer surgery tax. A prescription drug tax. Not just a "modest" tax -- but the HIGHEST sales tax ON EARTH tax.
SO people wouldn't go for this tax -- not when they find out what it really is.
Fairtax couldn't possibly pass. Not when people find out.
If the leaders would have Congressional hearings -- people would know better. Thats why you won't ever see Congressional hearings. The leaders are too smart to have any.
But wait will people would find out -- its not 23% _- its more like 60-70%. Because the 23% figure was based on the lie that they could collect 800 billion in revenue FROM the government. Idiots. Take that farce away, refigure the whole plan. And in Congressional hearings, the Fairtax leaders won't get away with the BS tricks the use on their fans at some rally (which they never have anymore anyway)
Plus -- Fairtax bases their BS on cutting the wages of 100 million American workers -- so prices will fall. Riiiiight. Sure - Im sure everyone will want to rush out, take 30% cut in pay, then pay the world's highest sales tax. Wait till "details" like this come out -- as they would in any congressional hearing.
There are no leaders pushing it. IN fact they are hiding from it. Its a farce. People would hate it.
So you tell me -- can it pass?
Fairtax leaders would never actually show up at a Congressional hearing -- or even allow a Congressional hearing -- and answer questions about it.
So no -- it can't pass.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
12 comments:
Boy did you get it wrong! The fair tax is the best thing that could happen to our economy.
You neglect the fact that workers will be taking home their entire paycheck without withholdings. Then there is the prebate which completely untaxes the poor up to the poverty line. Then you forget about the fact that there is an embedded tax of 22% in everything we buy. That will disappear. As a result prices will decrease. Add the tax back in and prices are relatively the same. Even medical, insurance premiums and rent have this 22% built in.
The fair tax will also make the US the worlds best tax have. Jobs will come back to this country. You would have to be hiding under a rock to avoid getting a job.
Capital flight will reverse and trillions of dollars that are now overseas will return to grow our economy.
Expand your thinking beyond worrying about a 23% tax and you will see that this is the best way to modernize our tax system. Compare that to our 35% income tax and it doesn't sound too bad.
Aside from the paid think-tanker's can you find an economist with any credibility that actually thinks this will work... AND... backs it up with data??
I have yet to see that. I've seen passionate people who want a more equitable economy. People who have felt the impacts of the past 30 years of supply side reaganomics. But I don't think we turn to something untried. But look to what made our economy the greatest in the world. Why break what isn't broken?
Jim
You say look at what made our economy the greatest in the world. If you don't believe in the FairTax fine. Now look at what is ruining our economy in relation to the tax laws of other nations. We are becoming more and more uncompetitive.
response to anonymous is here: http://politicalautomaton.blogspot.com/2008/08/response-on-taxes-and-economy.html
thanks for posting... please do come back... I like debate... I learn from those who differ in opinion and perspective.
Jim,
I had a weeks-long conversation with this guy under the name MarkMD. He went on and on about how poor people will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars on cancer treatments and nursing home care without realizing that if someone can't pay millions for the treatment, they won't pay hundreds of thousands for the sales tax.
I'd point out a flaw and he'd move on to the next one. Till he ran out and started over as if I hadn't already knocked the first ones down. I don't mind healthy debate--I have enjoyed chatting with you--but Mark is delusional and scary.
You ask "Aside from the paid think-tanker's can you find an economist with any credibility that actually thinks this will work... AND... backs it up with data??"
The problem with your question is that basically all the serious economists with any credibility are paid think tankers in one way or another. Almost unanimously, those who have put the most study into the proposal agree that it would be a very good thing in the long run. Those who conclude against the FairTax usually do so because they deem the transitional problems to be too tough to weather.
Show me an unpaid economist who comes down against the FairTax and I will show you where he has missed something or changed something in his model.
For my latest blog entry (of sorts) see http://www.FairTax.org/TampaBay
Mark says: Do you really think people will WANT to pay the highest sales tax on earth, on their rent? Their car insurance? AND their medical cost, utilities, ect ect?
He says that with absolutely no recognition that they are currently paying tax on what they earn and subsequently buy all those things with already tax dollars. Nor does he ever seem to comprehend the fact that under the FairTax we will all be untaxed up to poverty level spending.
I've been to rallies in Atlanta, Orlando, Columbia, Ames, and Nashville, but I've no idea what rally he is talking about in Washington DC.
I could give you the contact info for as many FairTax leaders as you'd care to contact. Two top paid staffers were laid off after the Ames rally while AFFT restructured (at least one went to work for Mike Huckabee as I recall), but no one "abandoned ship".
Whenever someone says to me "You can't find anyone with a contrary attitude..." If I had it in my power I'd fire that person!
Why? Because unanimous results on important topics only come from poor polling questions. And I'd not have poor pollsters in my employ.
Ask a good question and people of good conscience will find divergent opinions. The FairTax opponents are just like the Global Warming advocates in this regard.
They make ridiculous statements like:
"No economists support the FairTax."
"No Scientists dispute Global Warming."
Then declare the debate resolved. Intelligent folks do see a parallel here? Aside from the fact that both are rhetorical falsehoods, and flawed logic, they're just plain annoying.
And BTW -- I an hiring, and I won't hire folks that make either of these simple errors.
CTYankee,
I was with you up to the statement:
The FairTax opponents are just like the Global Warming advocates in this regard.
They make ridiculous statements like:
"No economists support the FairTax."
"No Scientists dispute Global Warming."
You've shown your conservative bias by not acknowledging that those on the right often declare the debate resolved with ridiculous statements like:
"No economists oppose the FairTax."
"No scientists understand Global Warming."
As of yesterday's Florida primary, I'm unemployed. What can I do for you?
DavidN@TampaBayFairTax.org
wow... could I just get a name or two?
I was just inerested in looking at their work and their background...
just a few names...
that would greatly help.
thanks, and thanks for commenting...
Jim,
I'm not sure what you were saying yes to. If you want economists on board with the FairTax start with the signers of this open letter.
http://www.fairtax.org/PDF/Open_Letter.pdf
If it was FairTax leadership you want, try here:
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grassroots_volunteer_leader
not intentended to be rude...
thanks for the list... will take a while to start working through it.
Hi DavidFL10, You acknowledged Mark -- a well known loony who imploded under the weight of his own insanity back in mid July.
Sure the right makes the same mistake tarring the entire left as bleeding hearts... I won't tolerate that kind of absolutism from either side.
I love divergent opinions! It's only when folks of good character 'slug it out' that real progress can be made. Passion for ones viewpoints is critical, and the ability to adopt a contrary position when the facts prevail is a crucial mental faculty.
You should'a heard my thoughts when I first heard about FairTax - Whoa Nellie! But by examining its proposals mathematically... and abandoning certain preconceived notions, it made perfect sense.
Timidity is the biggest problem today; "You can't jump a chasm in a series of small hops." is one of my favorites.
Support the FairTax!
The Light is Green!
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