Replace All Federal Taxes on Income with the Fair Tax Act , HR 25
Congressional support seems thin to me.
I just wanted to throw this out for discussion. It concerns me that there is relatively little news on the FairTax coming from our sponsors in the Congress. My impression is that these sponsors are more interested in us as potential donors or primary voters than they are advocates of the FairTax.
These politicians seem to be poorly informed about the nuts and bolts of the FairTax and its overall positive effects on the American economy and us "the people". They don't have a repetoire of one liners that could reach many more people each and everytime they are in the public eye or in the media. I've also found that these politicains either can't or won't help us with information such as how much embedded taxes are in new homes or automobiles.
I wonder why the FairTax organization can't develop a program in which a knowledgable volunteer with a positive demeanor, discretionary sense and communication skills could become a link between the FairTax organization and their Congressional office. This type of program could elevate the quality and quantity of information flowing between FairTaxers and our elected officials. It would also let the politicians know we are watching and not just there to help them get elected every two years.
When I was more active in the FairTax movement I found that the FairTax organization failed to realize that one to one contact with a Congressional office could build a cooperative relationship in which our elected officials provide political insight and concerns while we provide them with positive support and information that can help their efforts in building political support. Without a sense of backing from the FairTax organization for these individuals, they are not taken seriously by the elected official. I also believe that the FairTax organization doesn't realize when a volunteer has hit paydirt or found a viable chink in the armor, so to speak, to exploit with directed volunteer activity.
I am in no way suggesting that this type of program substitute for any or all FairTax members to contact their legislative representative as often as possible. In fact, I believe a viable and active volunteer group within each Congressinal district will only thrive when information is flowing from these types of communication specialists. People need specific short term goals that are easily implemented and measurable.
Please bear with my verbosity. I've been away from the organization for a while and want to get back in the swing of things.
Texas Tom
These politicians seem to be poorly informed about the nuts and bolts of the FairTax and its overall positive effects on the American economy and us "the people". They don't have a repetoire of one liners that could reach many more people each and everytime they are in the public eye or in the media. I've also found that these politicains either can't or won't help us with information such as how much embedded taxes are in new homes or automobiles.
I wonder why the FairTax organization can't develop a program in which a knowledgable volunteer with a positive demeanor, discretionary sense and communication skills could become a link between the FairTax organization and their Congressional office. This type of program could elevate the quality and quantity of information flowing between FairTaxers and our elected officials. It would also let the politicians know we are watching and not just there to help them get elected every two years.
When I was more active in the FairTax movement I found that the FairTax organization failed to realize that one to one contact with a Congressional office could build a cooperative relationship in which our elected officials provide political insight and concerns while we provide them with positive support and information that can help their efforts in building political support. Without a sense of backing from the FairTax organization for these individuals, they are not taken seriously by the elected official. I also believe that the FairTax organization doesn't realize when a volunteer has hit paydirt or found a viable chink in the armor, so to speak, to exploit with directed volunteer activity.
I am in no way suggesting that this type of program substitute for any or all FairTax members to contact their legislative representative as often as possible. In fact, I believe a viable and active volunteer group within each Congressinal district will only thrive when information is flowing from these types of communication specialists. People need specific short term goals that are easily implemented and measurable.
Please bear with my verbosity. I've been away from the organization for a while and want to get back in the swing of things.
Texas Tom
Comment
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Comment by Tom Morrison on May 14, 2009 at 9:23pm
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Nancy,
You're doing great. You should try to have as many people request information about the Congressman's position on the FairTax as you can. Once you get enough people with responses, have a small meeting. People seem to get more involved when they are being ignored. At some point you will have leverage by the sheer volume of unresponsive letters. Until you get some specific position statements from your Congressman there is little chance of movement to support the FairTax.
Have you asked to speak to the tax legislation advisor for the Congressman? This might be a way to get information and build rapport. Even if you do start building a relationship with his staff, keep having others call and ask questions about the Fairtax.
You are an inspiration and we can all learn from your efforts.
Tom Texas
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Comment by Nancy L. Gatchel on May 8, 2009 at 9:07pm -
I called Jordan's office, needless to say. They have my name and address in their data base already so they seldom ask for my address any more, lol! Don't know if that's good or bad.
I, once again, explained that I get the same letter regarding this every time, but they do not answer my specific questions: What are the congressman's specific reservations about the Fair Tax? What plan does the congressman have or prefer? I told the staffer that I want answers to these specific questions and that I thought, as one of his constituents and one of his employers, I believe I have a right to these answers. The staffer agreed. Whew! Why am I working so hard for this politician?! Should be the other way around! Sheesh. We'll see what happens.
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Comment by micheleking on May 7, 2009 at 2:24pm
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I'm disappointed too. Very rude. I can tolerate a lot, but rude chaps my overalls.
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Comment by Nancy L. Gatchel on May 6, 2009 at 9:55am
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I am very disappointed. Congressman Jim Jordan did not call me as I was told he would. I got another letter consisting of vague generalities and no answers to my two questions. Disappointed? Yes. Daunted? No. My work continues. Updates to follow.
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Nancy G,
You are terrific. Lucky you, your Congressman is on the fence. That makes it more fun to get involved and will definitely give you experience with the great political tradition of "I'm studying that issue and will get back to you." Make sure you tell your friends how decisive and informed your Congressman is on the FairTax and encourage them to call and ask specific questions. Some possible ones are, "How much embedded taxes are in the purchase of a new home or auto?" , "Why do our trade agreements restrict our exporters from removing embedded taxes from the price of goods we manufacture in America if there are no embedded taxes?", " Would paying off debt within the FairTax model, with gross wages, allow me to build my net worth faster, and isn't that a good thing?' You get the idea. the more specific and the better notes you take of the responses can be intriguing and a motivational too. Nothing gets a staffs attention like answering (or not) phone calls. Remember, if they fail to answer a specific question, they lose the trust of the voters and that is an issue they can't afford to be on the wrong side of.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a competition but a dance and the nicer you are the better. I'm sure you already know all this stuff, but writing it out gets me going.
Good dancing. Keep us posted on your progress with the Congressman and your growing accomplices.
Tom Texas
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Way to go Miss Nancy! We can't wait for your report. Very encouraging.
Mr. Morrison, I have my reps info and contacted them thanking for their support. However, I have a serious problem involving myself with political parties. I do not have a party that completely supports FairTax, and the myriad of other issues that concern me. I will call back and volunteer solely for the purpose of helping with FairTax.
I thought when I got on this site, I'd automatically get cheat sheets of various names, local info, national info, and I'm retarded with this computer, spelling words, and history. Like one of the 1st responses we had to do was send a thank you for signing FairTax into law here in GA. I spent hours looking for the bill, then discovered one guy I was to thank was instrumental in authorship. While something like this may be trivial, it could be avoided altogether with directions. We are not all in the know. After I give him a lump of sugar and saddle up, I want to jump right on the horse and go. I ended up in the never, never of cyberspace...
Looking forward to Mr. King's "special order" on the "front page of FT nation." very helpful.
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Comment by Nancy L. Gatchel on May 4, 2009 at 8:54am
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Tom, in reply to your question, no, Rep. Jordan doesnt support Fair Tax; however, he is not opposed to it. I see that as "sitting on the fence". After teleconference townhall meetings, a number of emails, and some calls, I simply called one day recently and asked the question, "What specifically are your reservations about the Fair Tax?". I explained to the staffer I spoke with that I had received letters from the congressman that in essence stated we simply need a simpler tax code. So my other question was, "What specific plan does the congressman have or wish to see enacted?". They took my questions and stated that he would call me personally.
I called in support of another piece of legislation last week and asked the staffer once again about my tax questions. I was told that Congressman Jordan was good at getting back to people; the staffer read off my previous phone call to me and that yes, the congressman would be phoning me personally. I await with eager anticipation.
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Comment by Billie on May 3, 2009 at 10:51pm
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Welcome back Tom. We need you. You have great information. Thanks. Billie in Beavercreek, OH
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Nancy Gatchel,
Impressive, having the Congressman call you. Is your Congressman a sponsor already? Whether a sponsor or not, will determine how you will proceed. When I spoke with non supporters in Texas I found that the reasons given were usually without merit or out and out red herrings. They would even say things that were untrue or uninformed. One Congressional staff person said that if the FairTax passed, people would stop buying new goods. The fact that discretionary funds would surge under the FairTax never even crossed this persons mind. Make sure you ask your Congressman their biggest concerns about the FairTax so you can wear them down and become a source of information for them and their staff. You'd be surprised at how little they know. If possible, try to assure them that you will try to resolve this concern by showing it is better than the current system. It's like a jury trial, I don't need to prove someone is certainly guilty , but to that point just beyond reasonable doubt. The FairTax just needs to be better than what we have, not perfect.
Sorry for rambling, but I'm excited knowing people like yourself are taking up the Fairtax banner. Keep us informed on your meeting and keep up the good work.
Tom Texas
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micheleking,
I'm in Houston Texas. Former Texas director for FairTax. Georgia was and probably still is every other states best competition for FairTax success. It was my experience that when a Congressman signs on as a sponsor there is a drop off of activity by volunteers. I never really found a some new objective to get people motivated. You sound like a go getter. Keep bugging those same people until you find your niche. I would suggest that you develop a relationship or lines of communication with your Congressman's tax advisor and local head of staff. Find out what they need from constituents and offer to help out. We need to let them know we are an asset and that we can bring numbers to their aid. Thanks for responding to my blog, I'm a newbie at this tech stuff and still lack a comfort zone.
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