First Step to Success for The Fair Tax

Sometimes, listening to what others are saying in a discussion can be a valuable means of gaining wisdom and stimulating creative thoughts and ideas that can generate a valuable contribution toward achieving a worthy goal.  I'd like to believe that what I'm about to say will fit that description.

I posted a Blog entry here on November 15, in which I voiced some concerns about H.R. 25 after my first reading of the actual bill.  Like many supporters of FT, I confess that I had never actually taken the time to read it, although I'd been zealously doing all I could to support/promote the concept for several years.  I had some nice discussion on my thoughts, some helpful that were appreciated, and one that was little more than a backhand to the face, but that's OK.  I'm a big boy and I know how to handle bullies.

Since then, I've been quietly 'listening' to others' comments and now am ready to offer some input that I sincerely intend to be constructive and of value to our cause: successful passage  of The Fair Tax, ASAP.  At least, I am assuming that to be the goal of all members of Fair Tax Nation.

From what I'm reading, it is apparent that an unhealthy tension has developed between some of us who, while deeply committed to the Fair Tax concept, have found reason for alarm about some aspects of H.R. 25 that cause us to fear for its success, as written, and others among us who seem afraid to consider trying to improve it for the sake of its success, and are very defensive of any suggestion that FTN do anything except press full speed ahead with promotion of the bill in its present form.  This tension is counterproductive.

May I suggest to you, fellow FairTaxers, that a perfectly wonderful concept, pregnant with great potential for improvement to our economy and a better living standard for us all, is worthy of great nurturing and careful crafting by allowing the collective wisdom and insights of many to perfect it before tossing it out as 'pearls before swine'.  I've taken into account that millions are said to have gone into development of H.R. 25, something that has been cited here many times now.  However, I still cannot discount the merit of giving fair consideration to the observations of those, like myself, who have agonized over certain aspects of the legislation and who see potential dangers contained in it that could prevent it from ever becoming law.

Why would anyone object to perfecting and fine tuning any product about to be marketed if doing so would be certain to assure its success?  Why would anyone be so impetuous and unwise as to reject, out of hand, the constructive advice of supporters of the enterprise and throw it out into the marketplace in an unfinished state that would assure its failure?  I submit to you, a wise planner with a really good product would not do such a thing.  We do have a perfectly marvelous concept, but the product isn't fully developed enough to make it a certain success.  It would be a mistake to reintroduce H.R. 25 prematurely, before we've had time to perfect it.

Now that we have a new 'standard bearer' in Congress,  I suggest we send him a letter, signed by Marilyn Rickert and several of the State Leaders of FTN and, if they will join us, some from AFFT, requesting a 'summit' with him and his staff.  The purpose would be to have a healthy discussion of H.R. 25 and specifically to consider possible changes that could or should be made to the bill to improve it, giving it a greater chance for passage.  In my opinion, some supporters who've been agonizing with it for several years, like Hank Van Gieson and Terry Warns for instance-members who've demonstrated great devotion to the FT concept--should be invited to bring their notes and documentation materials so that these issues can be thoroughly discussed in an atmosphere of cooperation and common cause.  Representatives from FT groups from every State should be involved, and a carefully planned agenda set up in advance of the Fair Tax Summit.

For what its worth,  I believe a summit such as I've proposed to refine and perfect the product should be our first priority in 2012.  And all our members should be asked to contribute their ideas or express any concerns they've had or picked up from others that could be taken into account to further the process.  By sharing together and cooperating to achieve a common goal, I believe we would be able to make great progress toward the ultimate fulfillment of our purpose.  I implore you, let's do all we can to do this right by working together to perfect our product before we 'hit the market' with it.

Arthur Bruce Robertson