What do you think the fair tax is?
go here to find out
www.fairtax.org
2007-02-07 03:32:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
It only taxes what you spend.
It leaves your income totally alone and if you want to save your money, you can without being taxed for doing the responsible thing by saving your money.
Not even the illegals can get away with not paying their fair share because it becomes irrelevant whether or not they get paid under the table. They get taxed when they spend that money.
This has to be the best tax proposal I have ever seen.
The only thing I can think of to make this totally complete is to put a 20% tax on international money transfers out of the country if you cannot prove your citizenship.
2007-02-07 03:49:24 · answer #1 · answered by sprcpt 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are several problems with consumption-based taxes. The primary problem is that it's very damaging to democracy. Consumption-based taxes remove controls over accumulating generational wealth via capital gains and inheritance taxation. Even back to the founding of our country, Jefferson, Madison, et al. were extremely concerned about the prospects of throwing off one aristocracy only to breed another one. The "Artificial Aristocracy", as Jefferson called it, would be free to grow their wealth in tax-free vehicles beyond the means of any other entity, even government. Hamilton supported the idea because he believed, along with Adams, that an aristocratic class in America was inevitable, even desirable, for long-term stability.
This idea is fraught with danger. Eventually, with means beyond that of the government itself, this Aristocracy would establish itself as primary controller of the nation: one might even argue that this has occurred by proxy via lobbyists. With the needs and desires of the People locked out of governance, the society will split into two major groups: the owners of everything, and the impoverished workers. If you think this idea is absurd, I suggest you look at England's history during the 1700-1800s. Think of Charles Dickens' world of Scrooge & Cratchet -- that is the result of a "Fair Tax". Indeed, I might even suggest that this process is already beginning with the rise of outsourcing, downsizing, and the need for families to hold multiple jobs to make the same income (adjusted for inflation) as a single worker from 30 years ago.
The "Fair Tax" does not address this primary concern of Artificial Aristocracy whatsoever, and in fact, is championed by those who are currently the most involved in moving government away from populism and towards corporatism. That should be a red flag in itself.
2007-02-07 11:49:53 · answer #2 · answered by Brandon F 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If the "Fair Tax" transfers the burden from the "haves" to working stiffs, then it's not fair.
"A man of great wealth owes a special obligation to the government, since he derives a benefit from the existence of government." -- Theodore Roosevelt.
2007-02-07 12:53:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Isn't it also known as the flat tax? Everyone pays so much (a percentage) of their annual income - no matter what they make.
I LOVE that idea. I think it would make the rich less inclined to pay less taxes than the guy working at the mill down the road. . .
2007-02-07 11:41:52 · answer #4 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I know what it is. Yes, we should try it!
2007-02-07 12:42:02 · answer #5 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋