Fair Tax Nation

Replace All Federal Taxes on Income with the Fair Tax Act , HR 25

(1) HR25 abolishes the IRS and the IRC. – NO.  It removes the IRS from the lives of individual taxpayers.  The IRS still must collect taxes from the (28 Million, going from memory from the book or so) business instead of 280 million
individual tax payers.  Looking at some of Hank’s previous posts, he
is worried about the impact of “cheating” under the Fair Tax Plan
(FTP).  Can you imagine how much easier it will be for the IRS to manage
28 million vs. 280 million payers?  That’s also making a bold
assumption that nobody currently cheats the IRS now!  (Geithner comes to
mind!)  You have REDUCED the POTENTIAL cheaters by a factor of TEN!

The IRS will still be needed to defend against fraud. We will cover this in another session (103).

(2) There are 67,000 pages in the Internal Revenue Code and supporting
Regulations.
  These estimates vary by font size, publishing details,
etc.  Suffice it to say that it is bigger than the Bible!  Is that
enough information to digest for ANY taxpayer!?


(3) A sales tax inclusive rate of 23% would be revenue neutral.
Every
comment made by Hank excludes the fact that you no longer have payroll taxes,
income taxes, etc.  Arguments like whether or not a consumption-based tax
code are more meritorious than the current tax code are easily justified in the
previous (2) points.  Based on the book, “The Fair Tax –
Answering the Critics” by Boortz, the current overhead to businesses
average 30-35% when all tax costs are considered such as (Payroll tax which is
matched by the company, CPA costs and other various compliance costs such as
tax attorneys, etc.), the overhead is easily offset by the 23% consumption
tax.  Also, since the worker now receives 100% of his pay, his dollar will
go farther.  Finally, if Hank believes in the power of Capitalism and
Competition, if the price even so much as stays the same (revenue neutral),
wouldn’t it be better if 100% of PEOPLE in America pay into the system
instead of 48% who are constantly trying to “game the system” ?


(4) The after tax price of retail purchases will be about the same. 
I
don’t think so since embedded overhead is reduced by at least the same
amount.  And if they do, so what?  Our dollar is stronger and more
people are employed, receiving 100% of their check and are subsequently
SPENDING more which raises GDP.


(5) The “prebate” is a tax refund paid in advance. 
That
is correct, except it is only paid to LEGAL AMERICANS!


(6) Your dollars will purchase more under the Fairtax. 
You
will have MORE DOLLARS to purchase more goods and services.  The higher the
spending the higher the revenue that is generated for  the
Federal Government.


(7) You choose when and how much tax to pay. 
In a sense…yes,
if you like a product or service, you pay your taxes with your everyday
purchases.  So if you want to purchase an expensive $5000 suit you will pay $1150 in taxes. If you want to by a $200 suit you will pay $46.00 in taxes. Its totally up to you how much you spend and if you buy  new, used, expensive or thrifty.

If you want FULL government transparency, it’s real simple.  The Federal Government will receive 23% of GDP…PERIOD. 
How’s that for transparency!


(8) Everyone will be economically better off under the Fairtax. 
I’m
betting that un-abated capitalism will be good for the economy…yes!

There are however some special circumstances that will be challenging. I will go over those later in special circumstances (104).


(9) Interest bearing investment and debt instruments are not taxed.    Fair Tax incomes are derived from
consumption.
  Give me an example of debt instruments. Debts owed on Schooling loan? No, these would not be taxed. Debts owed on a new car? Yes, the tax would be in the cost of the car so the loan would reflect that just as it does now. Debts owed on a used car No, it would not be. Please be specific on debt instruments.  Interest is not taxed under the Fair Tax.

(10) There is $10-$15 trillion of US owned assets in offshore accounts. 
Let me give you my own experience on this. I used to own a high end theater manufacturing business. My clients were millionaires , some Billionaires. My projectors cost $49,000.00 each so lets just say you couldn't buy them at Walmart. Anyway, I was approached by one of my very wealthy clients asking me if I would like to tax shelter my hard earned money by opening an acct. in the Cayman Islands. We could take his private Jet there once a month and legally bring home $9999.00 in cash and pay no tax . I contacted my attorney and accountant, they told me it is legal but not ethical so I did not participate. That client to this day still does. He owns 2700 apartment buildings and makes an 8 figure annual income. How much does he pay in income taxes? $0. Now that's only one billionaire. So I believe $15 trillion is low. My own opinion.

(11) Buying “used” goods, (tax previously paid), eliminates the tax
costs from the sales price. The Tax costs?  wow, you are really trying to get tricky with this one. Bottom line, lets talk frank here.. Used products will not be imposed the 23% federal consumption tax. It may have State taxes or even local taxes but we are only talking federal taxes here.


(12) A national sales tax would have no impact on State and Local governments.
  No sovereign Government can charge another sovereign government taxes. So NO the States will not pay into the Fair Tax and will not generate income to the Federal government. Local and City governments will.

(13) The GDP will rise by around 10% in the first year of implementation. 
Not sure, but I am willing to bet that it will EXCEED 10% within 2-3
years easy!


(14) The Fairtax will save Social Security
.  It
may make it unnecessary.


(15) The Fairtax is progressive. 
Define…Progressive, Based on my definition.. the less you make the more the Fair tax gives you as a percentage of income. Then I would say yes it is because the higher your income, the less percentage the Pre-bate effects your buying decisions.

Example someone making $1M per year really doesn't care if he gets an annual $6200 pre-bate, but for someone living at the poverty line, $6200 is a considerable amount of money.



Now that we have covered Hanks comments lets get into some other issues people bring up.


People going to Canada or Mexico to buy a boat or car to eliminate paying the tax.

This is true, they can go to another country but as soon as they bring that vehicle or boat back into the country they must pay for the tax. Have you tried registering a vehicle from Canada? It not easy and will be an easy catch for the fraud police. Currently known as the IRS.


Charitable contributions will be reduced.
Not really. When you think about it, most people give to charities because they want to, because it makes them feel good and for me because you just think its time to give back when you have been successful. Not because they calculate what the tax savings are. PLUS once people have more money, they are more likely to give more money.


Isn't the tax rate actually 30% not really 23%. Well it depends on if the tax is inclusive or exclusive.
Say you buy a $100.00 pair of shoes. The way the fair tax is set up the tax is already in the $100.00. Meaning its inclusive. The retailer gets $77.00 and $23.00 is sent to the federal government. Now lets look at the way the critics do. The exclusive method that same $77.00 pair of shoes if you multiply $77.00 by 1.3 (30%) it comes to $100.00. regardless of how you calculate it you are still paying $23.00 for that $100.00 pair of shoes. But the critics will say you are paying 30%.

I wont get my mortgage deduction!!!
Yes you are correct. but this is a silly argument. You are only getting a portion back of what you already have paid the government in your total payroll taxes taken from the year. So you get back a $1000.00 for mortgage interest. Well that was your money in the first place. The government simply gave you a portion of what they took back. Why not get it ALL back?

My House value will be DE-valued.
Excuse me people but the opposite will occur. Why?
1) New houses are being taxed, used homes are not. An instant advantage to sell your home over a new one. Your home now becomes more affordable to more people. More people have money to spend so likely you will sell that home quicker under the fair tax.

It's bad for people that are retired.
No, the opposite. Remember the Pre-Bate? Well retiree's still get that and since retired people already have most everything they need they wont be buying new homes, they wont be buying many items because they already have them. Most retired people are content with their existing homes, they are into family and giving to children and grand kids. Their inheritance will go to their children, not the government. The items they leave their children are without tax. It is a very good program for retired people. No more death tax. 


The Fair Tax Is Regressive:

ABSOLUTELY FALSE. What opponents would like you to believe is that the tax rich people pay is lower than the tax lower income payers pay. ABSOLUTELY FALSE. This argument is made by people that have never had big incomes. They do not realize the consumption rich people actually make. A Billionaire will buy a Jet aircraft for $580,000.00 and pay 23% tax on it.

A Millionaire will buy a $150,000.00 automobile and pay 23% tax on it.

A low income person will buy a used home and pay zero tax on it. A middle income person can elect to purchase a used car from that Millionaire and pay zero tax on it.

Again, the arguments are coming from either people with hidden agendas or they simply have never been poor, middle class and rich.  I DO NOT BELIEVE this argument. Its simply a ploy to pit the classes against each other and stall the fair Tax in debate.


Why discuss it, Congress will never support it!
Well again not true. Does anyone remember the old Bewitched television show?
Remember Darrens boss, Larry Tate?. He never thought an idea Darren proposed was good unless the client said it was good. Larry Tate is congress., The Idea is the Fair Tax and the Client is us, the American people.
Congress will vote to save their jobs, Don't believe me?



The above link is a letter sent to President Bush by Nancy Pelosi herself supporting and encouraging his support of the Fair tax. This letter was sent on Dec. 15th 2004. Ironic isn't it? Now that the Democrats are in power you would be hard pressed to find one democrat in favor of the Fair Tax. Not because its a bad idea but because it takes away government power! Typical bait and switch that the two party system has done to America since I can remember.  No, lets not take it anymore, lets educate everyone so when an Ad comes out telling only half the truth we can opening call these people out and make them AFRAID NOT TO SUPPORT THE FAIR TAX. Because if not, the thing they love the most, the money, the power, their jobs... will be lost. And in addition, lets elect non-career politicians that will vote to remove congress and senate Pensions. But I Digress. 

  1. What is taxed?

    The FairTax is a single-rate, federal retail sales tax collected only once, at the final point of purchase of new goods and services for personal consumption.
    Used items are not taxed. Business-to-business purchases for the
    production of goods and services are not taxed. A rebate makes the
    effective rate progressive.


  2. Exactly what taxes are abolished?

    The FairTax is replacement, not reform. It replaces federal income taxes including personal, estate, gift, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare,
    self-employment, and corporate taxes.


  3. How does the prebate work?

    All valid Social Security cardholders who are U.S. residents receive a monthly prebate equivalent to the FairTax paid on essential goods and
    services, also known as the poverty level expenditures. The prebate is
    paid in advance, in equal installments each month. The size of the
    prebate is determined by the Department of Health & Human Services’
    poverty level guideline multiplied by the tax rate. This is a
    well-accepted, long-used poverty-level calculation that includes food,
    clothing, shelter, transportation, medical care, etc. See chart in
    Figure 1 below. 

  4. Why not just exempt food and medicine from the tax? Wouldn’t that be fair and simple?

    Exempting items by category is neither fair nor simple. Respected economists have shown that the wealthy spend much more on unprepared food, clothing,
    housing, and medical care than do the poor. Exempting these goods, as
    many state sales taxes do, actually gives the wealthy a
    disproportionate benefit. Also, today these purchases are not exempted from federal taxation. The purchase of food, clothing, and medical services is made from after-income-tax and after-payroll-tax dollars, while their purchase price hides the cost of corporate taxes and private sector compliance costs.

    Finally, exempting one product or service, but not another, opens the door to
    the army of lobbyists and special interest groups that plague and
    distort our taxation system today. Those who have the money will send
    lobbyists to Washington to obtain special tax breaks in their own
    self-interest. This process causes unfair and inefficient distortions
    in our economy and must be stopped.


  5. Is the 23% FairTax revenue-neutral rate higher or lower when compared to income and Social Security taxes people pay today?

    Most people are paying that much or more today -- much of it is just hidden from view. The income tax bracket most people fall into is 15 percent,
    and all wage earners pay 7.65 percent in payroll taxes. That’s 23
    percent right there, without taking into account the 7.65 percent
    employer matching! On top of that, you have to add in the business
    taxes and associated compliance costs passed on to consumers in higher
    prices.

    Effective tax rates vs. stated tax rates
    Because the 23-percent FairTax rate of $0.23 on every dollar spent is not
    imposed on necessities, an individual spending $30,000 pays an
    effective tax rate of only 15.5 percent, not 23
    percent. That same individual will pay 17.3 percent of his or her
    income to federal taxes under current law. See effective tax rates for
    a family of four at various spending levels in Figure 2.

    Figure 2: 2007 effective tax rates

    FAQ 2007 figure 2 - effective tax rates



  6. Does the FairTax rate need to be much higher to be revenue neutral?

    The proper tax rate has been carefully worked out; 23 percent does the job of: (1) raising the same amount of federal funds as are raised by the
    current system, (2) paying the universal rebate, and (3) paying the
    collection fees to retailers and state governments. Unlike some other
    proposals, this rate has been independently confirmed by several
    different, nonpartisan institutions across the country. Detailed
    calculations are available from FairTax.org.


  7. How is the Social Security system affected?

    Like all federal spending programs, Social Security operates exactly as it does today, except that its funds come from a broad, progressive sales
    tax, rather than a narrow, regressive payroll tax. Employers continue
    to report wages for each employee, though, to the Social Security
    Administration for the determination of benefits. The transition to a
    reformed Social Security system is eased while ensuring there is
    sufficient funding to continue promised benefits.

    Meanwhile, Social Security/Medicare funds are no longer triple-taxed as under the
    current system: 1) when payroll taxes are initially withheld; 2) when
    those withheld payroll taxes are counted as part of the taxable base
    for income tax purposes; and 3) when the promised benefits are finally
    received.


  8. How does the FairTax affect Social Security reform?

    FairTax.org is a one-issue organization: Tax replacement. However, its proposal does benefit any Social Security reform proposal. The FairTax.org plan does not change Social Security benefits or the structure of the Social Security
    system. All it does is replace the current revenue source (narrow,
    regressive payroll taxes) with a new revenue source (broad, progressive
    sales taxes paid by all consumers).

    Additionally, research shows that consumption is a more stable revenue source than income. If
    Social Security is reformed or privatized in a way that reduces the
    government’s need for revenue, then the FairTax rate can be reduced.
    For example, if a mandatory private savings program is implemented
    where people must save ten percent of their income and Social Security
    benefits are curtailed, then the FairTax rate can be reduced just as
    payroll taxes would be reduced.


  9. Is consumption a reliable source of revenue?

    Yes, in fact, consumption is a more stable source of revenue than income, as shown in Figure 3. The chart compares the yearly changes in the tax
    bases for the income tax (adjusted gross income -- AGI) and the FairTax
    (personal consumption expenditures -- PCE) for years 1974 to 2004. PCE
    has always grown from year to year, whereas AGI dropped from 2000 to
    2001 and from 2001 to 2002 -- two years in a row. The higher growth
    rates of AGI in boom years result in overspending and then when the
    economy slows down either budget cuts are needed or, what is more often
    the case, taxes are raised or the budget deficit increases.

    Figure 3: Stability of the tax base
    1974 to 2004


    FAQ stability chart for question 9


  10. How is the tax collected?

    Retail businesses collect the tax from the consumer, just as state sales tax systems already do in 45 states; the FairTax is simply an additional
    line on the current sales tax reporting form. Retailers simply collect
    the tax and send it to the state taxing authority. All businesses
    serving as collection agents receive a fee for collection, and the
    states also receive a collection fee. The tax revenues from the states
    are then sent to the U.S. Treasury.


  11. Why is the FairTax better than our current system?

    Our present tax system is one of the reasons that people are finding it so difficult to get ahead these days. It is one of the reasons the next
    generation may not have a standard of living as high as this
    generation. Cars replaced the horse and buggy, the telephone replaced
    the telegraph, and the FairTax replaces the income tax. The income tax
    is holding us back and making it more difficult than it needs to be to
    improve our families’ standard of living. It makes it needlessly
    difficult for our businesses to compete in international markets. It
    wastes vast resources on complying with needless paperwork. We can do
    better and we must.


  12. Is the FairTax fair?

    Yes, the FairTax is fair, and in fact, much fairer than the income tax. Wealthy people spend more money than other individuals. They buy
    expensive cars, big houses, and yachts. They buy filet mignon instead
    of hamburger, fine wine instead of beer, designer dresses, and
    expensive jewelry. The FairTax taxes them on these purchases. If,
    however, they use their money to build job-creating factories, finance
    research and development to create new products, or fund charitable
    activities (all of which help improve the standard of living of
    others), then those activities are not taxed.


  13. How does the FairTax protect low-income and lower-middle-income families and individuals?

    Under the FairTax Plan, poor people pay no net FairTax at all up to the poverty level! Every household receives a rebate that is equal to the
    FairTax paid on essential goods and services, and wage earners are no
    longer subject to the most regressive and burdensome tax of all, the
    payroll tax. Those spending at twice the poverty level pay a tax of
    only 11.5 percent -- a rate much lower than the income and payroll tax
    burden they bear today.

    Under the federal income tax, slow economic growth and recessions have a disproportionately adverse impact
    on lower-income families. Breadwinners in these families are more
    likely to lose their jobs, are less likely to have the resources to
    weather bad economic times, and are more in need of the initial
    employment opportunities that a dynamic, growing economy provides.
    Retaining the present tax system makes economic progress needlessly
    slow, thus harming low-income people the most.

    In contrast, the FairTax dramatically improves economic growth and wage rates for
    all, but especially for lower-income families and individuals. In
    addition to receiving the monthly FairTax prebate, these taxpayers are
    freed from regressive payroll taxes, the federal income tax, and the
    compliance burdens associated with each. They pay no more business
    taxes hidden in the price of goods and services, and used goods are tax
    free.


  14. Is it fair for rich people to get the exact same FairTax prebate from the federal government as the poorest person in America?

    Let’s look at a billionaire under the FairTax -- if he spends $10,000,000 dollars he pays a tax of $2,300,000 and gets a prebate of $4,697
    (assuming he is married and has no children). His effective tax rate as
    a percent of spending is 22.95 percent.

    Now, let’s look at a middle-income married couple with no children under the FairTax -- if they spend $50,000, they pay $6,803 net of their prebate for an effective tax rate
    of 13.6 percent. The effective tax rate increases as spending
    increases, but never exceeds 23 percent!

    Figure 4: Comparison of effective tax rates: FairTax, income tax

      FairTax Current tax
    Expenditures = income $50,000 $50,000
    Net tax $6,803 $7,918
    Effective tax rate 13.6% 15.8%

    In contrast, if this same couple earns $50,000 in wages today under the current tax system, they pay $4,093 in income taxes and $3,825 in payroll taxes for a total of $7,918 in taxes
    (15.8 percent) -- a tax burden 14.1 percent higher than under the
    FairTax. In addition, their employer pays another $3,825 in payroll
    taxes. Most economists agree that the employer payroll tax is actually
    borne by employees in the form of lower wages. Looked at this way, this
    couple is paying $11,743 (23.5 percent) in taxes today, which doesn’t
    even include the hidden taxes they pay every time they make a purchase.


    Finally, let’s look at a low-income couple that spends at the poverty level under the FairTax -- they pay no net FairTax at all. Today, under the income tax system, they not only pay 15 percent in
    payroll taxes, but they also pay hidden taxes -- arising from corporate
    taxes, private sector compliance costs, and payroll taxes passed on to
    consumers and embedded in the price of everything they buy.


  15. What about senior citizens, retired people, and anyone on a fixed income?

    As a group, seniors do very well under the FairTax. Low-income seniors are much better off under the FairTax than under the current income tax
    system.

    Some erroneously believe that people who live exclusively on Social Security pay no taxes. They may not know it, but
    they are paying hidden corporate income taxes and employer payroll
    taxes whenever they buy anything. Under the FairTax, seniors pay $0.23
    out of every dollar they choose to spend on new goods and services.

    Plus, seniors, like everyone else, receive a monthly prebate, in advance of
    purchases, for taxes paid on the cost of necessities which more than
    pays for all of the taxes they would pay if they received the average
    Social Security benefit amount and spent it all. If seniors choose to
    work, they are freed from regressive payroll taxes, the federal income
    tax on wages, and the compliance burdens associated with each. They pay
    no more hidden taxes on goods or services, and used goods are tax free.
    There is no income tax on their Social Security benefits.

    The income tax imposed on investment income and pension benefits or IRA
    withdrawals is repealed. Pension funds, IRAs, and 401(k) plans had
    assets of $12 trillion in 2004. An income tax deduction was taken for
    contributions to most of these plans. All beneficiaries and owners of
    these plans expected to pay income tax on them upon withdrawal, but are
    not required to do so under the FairTax.

    All owners of existing homes experience large capital gains due to the repeal of the income
    tax and implementation of the FairTax Plan. Seniors have dramatically
    higher home ownership rates than other age groups (81 percent for
    seniors compared to 65 percent on average). Homes are often a family’s
    largest asset. Gains are likely to be in the range of 20 percent.

    The FairTax makes the economy much more dynamic and prosperous.
    Consequently, federal tax revenues grow. This makes it less likely that
    federal budget pressures require Medicare or Social Security benefit
    cuts.


  16. How does the FairTax help seniors who have paid taxes on their retirement savings or invested in Roth IRAs?

    Simply put, the FairTax is a revenue-neutral proposal, raising no more money than does the current system. The FairTax only changes where the money
    is raised, not the amount.

    Additionally, some erroneously believe that people who have invested in Roth IRAs will never pay taxes
    on this money again. They may not know it, but they are paying
    corporate income taxes, employer payroll taxes, plus the associated
    compliance costs that are hidden in the price of every retail purchase
    they make. Under the FairTax, these hidden taxes are driven out of
    retail prices. And note, they can determine the amount of tax they
    pay through their own lifestyle choices.

    Furthermore, used goods are not taxed because they have already been taxed once -- when they
    were new. Therefore senior citizens, like all Americans, do not lose
    purchasing power, but gain it instead. Moreover, the FairTax preserves
    the purchasing power of Social Security benefits, and seniors receive a
    monthly prebate so they don’t pay taxes on the purchase of necessities.
    Tax-deferred investments get a one-time windfall. Savings invested in
    any long-term, income-generating asset such as a stock, real estate, or
    a long-term bond that can’t be called, increase substantially in value.
    Finally, complex estate planning is an artifact of an earlier age.


  17. How does the FairTax affect wages and prices?

    Americans who produce goods and earn wages must pay significant tax and compliance costs under the current federal income tax. These taxes and
    costs both reduce after-tax wages and profits and are then passed on to
    the consumers of those goods and services in the form of price
    increases. When the FairTax removes income, capital gains, payroll, and
    estate and gift taxes, the pre-FairTax prices of these goods and
    services will fall. The removal of these hidden taxes may also allow
    wages to rise. Exactly how much prices will fall and wages will rise
    depends on market forces. For example, in a profession with many jobs
    and too few to fill them, wages will likely increase more than in
    fields where there are too many employees and not enough jobs.


  18. Why not just exempt necessities from the FairTax instead of providing for a prebate?

    The prebate is the most equitable and most efficient way to make the FairTax progressive. If the FairTax were to exempt necessities, the tax
    rate would have to be 20 percent higher than the FairTax rate with a
    prebate.


  19. Should the government tax services?

    Service providers are not exempt from the income tax today, and should not be exempt from the FairTax. Services now account for well over one-half of
    the gross domestic product (GDP). Neither consumption of services nor
    consumption of goods should be tax preferred. And it is economically
    foolish not to tax the fastest growing segment of our economy.
    Competition, not politics, should determine what goods and services
    cost.


  20. How does the FairTax affect income tax preparers, accountants, and many government employees?

    There are, of course, still some people who are involved in sales tax return preparation and sales tax administration under the FairTax, but many
    fewer than those involved with the income tax today. Those tax
    preparers, tax lawyers, and Internal Revenue Service employees, who are
    typically well educated and well equipped with transferable skills,
    will have to find other, more productive work. The projected 10.5
    percent growth in the economy during the first year of the FairTax will
    provide plenty of new jobs.

    But the heavy compliance costs of the income tax are like an anchor holding back economic growth. We have nothing to show for the $265 billion (greater than the current
    federal deficit -- $205 billion) that we spend each year measuring,
    tracking, sheltering, documenting, and filing our annual income
    .
    Surely these valuable labor and capital resources can be employed more
    productively -- for example, in following the money trails left by
    terrorist, drug, and other criminal enterprises, rather than in
    tracking every American wage earner.


  21. What about the hom

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Replies to This Discussion

Give me a break Terry.
No one is taking away freedom of religion.
You keep using the exclusive method to argue your points. wrong.

The question for retirees are answered here;
www.fairtax.org/PDF/The_FairTax_benefits_seniors_11-7-06.pdf

The bottom line question is:
Is the Fair tax better than the system we now have?
Yes or NO?
Attachments:
This report is for true retirees, not retirees still making money under the table as "consultants" or lobbyists. But then again, the Fair Tax fixes the underground economy that lobbyists share along with drug dealers. These are the people you will find on the Internet most against the fair tax.

You may find them in Linked in as "consultants".
Attachments:
"One provides a necessary service to our elected officials, and the other generally winds up in jail!
Correction:
Those that get caught generally wind up in jail. Generally is also a good description depending on who you know and what butt you just wiped the day before being caught.

I wonder what the necessary service is? Hmmmm. Adding campaign dollars to corrupt career politicians totally influenced by absolute power ?

I must agree, the fair tax isnt enough, we must also pass
1) A Balanced budget amendment.
2) Pass term limits. Such a no brainer but never done. HMMMM. Congress did it for presidents. A perfect example of the elite political class setting rules for everyone else to live by but not themselves.
3) Removal of pension plans for all politicians. This will make them honest. You go to Washington for the people, not be paid for your entire life after one term!
Thanks Hank:
I wish I could take credit for this article but it was written by an Olando journalist:

Read this slowly, let it sink in, VOTE in November

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be – please read it!!(all the way to the end)

The article below is completely neutral, ...not anti republican or democrat.

Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day.

It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000

EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE. READ IT AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE.

Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.

545 PEOPLE--By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault.
They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits....
The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it......... Is up to you.



Sales Tax
School Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Excise Taxes
Property Tax
Cigarette Tax
Medicare Tax
Inventory Tax
Real Estate Tax
Well Permit Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Inheritance Tax
Road Usage Tax
CDL license Tax
Dog License Tax
State Income Tax
Food License Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Social Security Tax
Service Charge Tax
Fishing License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Building Permit Tax
IRS Interest Charges
Hunting License Tax
Marriage License Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Property Tax
Accounts Receivable Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax


Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened? Can you spell 'politicians? ' I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times!!!
YOU can help it get there!!!
GO AHEAD - - - BE AN AMERICAN!!!

PS If you do the right thing and pass this on - which is entirely up to you -
please do the right thing and highlight and delete any addresses you receive with it.

Thank You

When injustice becomes law,
resistance becomes duty.
Thomas Jefferson
Just a note:

Workers Compensation is Insurance not a tax.

It was borne directly as a result to provide low cost no fault insurance when someone is injured on the job. In many states it is provided by private insurers but in some states it is provided by state insurance company.

Saying Workers Compensations is a tax is like saying auto insurance is a tax.
LMAO.
Terry, is that the only response you have after reading that article?? AMAZING.
Here is another version you may like:

545 PEOPLE--By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them..

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits..... The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees..

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it......... Is up to you.

This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.

Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think..

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax...
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Tax
Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service FeeTax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

What do we do?
1) Vote for candidates that publicly support the following agenda:
1)Fair tax
2) Balanced budget amendment
3) Term limits for Congress and Senate
4) Removal of pensions for all politicians.

DO YOUR RESEARCH AND FIND CANDIDATES THAT SUPPORT ALL THESE ISSUES!

IN FLORIDA, VOTE FOR ALEX SNITKER for FL Senate!
Phil,

Many people think Workers Comp is a tax. It is not. It exists because business and government had a problem. People were getting hurt on the job and the courts were being filled up with claims.

Out of that mess came Workers Comp in the 1940's. This has actually lowered business costs and makes us more competitive as well as provide safe places to work. It actually costs more for employers who does not practice good safety procedures as the process is experienced rated.

Now based on your definition, you feel this is bad government that policiticians would impose such a system upon businesses. I think it is an example of where government and business came together and came up with a great solution.

Workers Comp has been around for 70 years.
UPDATE:
New taxes that have been added since my posting of this article:
Roaming tax ( i guess we roam around to much ).
Cell usage tax ( Because you bad people stopped using the tele ,and went to cell's )
Lease tax ( Oil field )
Citation road tax (Get a ticket ,pay this tax )
Individual insured vehicle tax.
EPA Taxes ( anytime your car is worked on ,or you change your tires. Your Tractor ,your TV , Or your home if you still have one )
Shooting regulatory tax (in some states soon ,you will need to have a license to even shoot your guns. Or have reloading supply's )
Sewer access tax
Annual ,septic tank inspection and usage tax
Water well ownership ,and usage permit ( Tax)
Natural Gas surcharge tax
CCW ,recurring tax to be paid annually
National sales tax ,on top of your regular yearly IRS shake down . ( The only country in the world that has proposed having both of these at the same time )
Possible email charge ( we have to save the jobs of the USPS. Watch the service get even worse after this )
Luxury tax ( why would you ever need a BMW ? )
Motorcycle emission permit (Smog Tax )

Federal Permit to drive ,because the engine in you old POS . 2007 or earlier car or truck is not a wonderful tier three ,or even now a tier four compliant gutless wonder. One thats costing you a fortune , broke down all of the time , yet when ,and if its running ! It it wouldn't catch a fat boy on a bicycle.

Fat boys on bicycles tax ( just kidding ,but it wouldn't surprise me )
And I suppose you really think, the the workers are not actually paying for this "Insurance". Have you ever used workmans comp insurance or talked to anyone that has used it...you get inferior service and care and end up injured with very little compensation.its a joke!!
I have been working in Workers Comp industry for over 15 years. I have never had a claim.

Workers Comp is regulated by the state insurance regulators and every state is different and their rules for compensation is different. Workers Comp exists because workers had to sue their employers before and the courts were clogged with claims. It would take years to get any money and all the while the worker usually did not work.

There are two parts of Workers Comp. One is the health care and one is lost wages. Lost wages are not designed to be based on your actually salary but are tax free.

The employer is responsible for workers comp. The employer gets fined for not having workers comp. Workers Comp is experienced rated meaning, the more claims, the more expensive the policy for the employer. Workers Comp is also based on the type of work that is performed. Office workers rates are very low, factory workers are much higher. The employee pays nothing. The employer takes a tax deduction for the premium and any deductibles and other expenses. The employee pays no tax on the benefits either health care or lost wages.

If you do not like workers comp rules, then you can partition the state insurance commissioner to change the rules. Also every state has a appeals process if you feel that the insurance company did not treat you fairly.

It is state mandated employer paid no fault accident insurance.

It is not a tax.
You can also see more on the Fair Tax here:
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_faq
Including informative videos.

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