Ken Hoagland's Page

Ken, with your permission can I have your article reprinted from Townhall that started out --"More than 200 years ago....... It is a new Conservative paper that just started printing in Western Wisconsin. They asked me to do a piece but I am not quite the writer you are.

Ken, I'm wondering in your Washington travels if you have ever run into a Washington Post reporter by the name of Robert Kaiser? He recently wrote the book, "So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government" awful timely considering your statements to that effect. I'd be very interested in his thoughts on the FairTax, if he is familiar with it and if he felt it would have any effect in the positive. All relative I'm sure. I am going to pick up this book and may try to reach him on this. I watched him yesterday on cspan2. Pretty intresting. Be nice to get his take and maybe some press if he felt in our favor as I think he should.

When I started writing to the newspaper I was told by a friend to remember that they write so that an 8th grader can understand it. So forgive me, but I tried to "dumb" it down a little (and add a bit). I have seen a transformation in the way I have been selling the FairTax. I don't argue about final number details as much other than to make the point that it is a significant positive sum deal for eveyone even if you want to consider worst case scenario (which I do not). I have focused lately on peripheral advantages like the effect on lobbying and relate it to the mortgage crisis, fannie and freddie etc. So here is what I came up with- probably see a few more rewrites before April 15th which is my target for this one.



We are often asked in our fight to gain support for the FairTax Act of 2009, “ If it is such a great way to reform our current, arcane tax system, why hasn’t Congress enacted it?”

The true essence of the culture of Washington D.C. and more specifically the United States Congress, was summed up recently in a sobering statement by one of our supporters. He is probably the only person in Washington actually working to affect change for those of us on Main St . This is basically what he had to say and I suspect what most of us already believe to be the case.



Opposition to the FairTax is bi-partisan in Washington . It's human, not ideological. The ability to grant favors to paid lobbyists representing individuals and corporations, other Members of Congress seeking breaks for favored constituents and contributors themselves, has led to a level of corruption that would make the Mob blush. It's a heady business holding so much power over the system that handles so much of our money. Congress’ power over the tax code is significantly diminished by the FairTax. Are they really going to voluntarily give up that kind of power.

The business of seeking favors and your tax dollars, is big business in Washington . More than a billion dollars a year is spent lobbying for breaks in the tax code. Tax lobbyist are the most successful and powerful lobbyists in Washington and their numbers have doubled in the last 8 years. Why do you think their ranks are constantly replenished by ex-Members of Congress, their family members and staffers from their tax writing committees. Retired or defeated members of Congress and staffers with 8-10 years experience can command a six or even seven figure deal when they join a " K Street " tax lobbying firm. I do not see anyone in Congress asking to limit their executive compensation. Politicians and DC pundits dine with them while Washington society celebrates their power and wealth.

With power and profit motives so pronounced, officials and staffers are acting in self-interest against the FairTax Act. It is the one bill that could end much of this corruption. Even scholars who have built careers around understanding the tax code and tax reform groups whose membership and funding are based upon railing against the income tax system, similarly don't want their "rice bowls" broken. It is, quite simply, putting personal and financial gain ahead of national interests.

Few of us would agree that the lucrative industry that has grown up around the tax code justifies the damage to our economy caused by the income tax system. It is an extremely attractive system for both Republicans and Democrats in Washington and a really bad deal for the rest of us. Power over the tax system and the profits derived from those close to the inner workings of the Congressional Committees are sad examples of the warped bi-partisan cooperation in Washington and the distance between what is good for these few and what is good for the nation.

So this is why the "merits" of the FairTax fall on deaf ears in Washington-power, money and influence. We have to force change by recruiting grass roots numbers large enough to threaten the more important self-interest of elected officials--their re-elections. It is high time we ripped away the false facade of "public service", supposed scholarly independence and tax reform hypocrisy that disguises those protecting the income tax system while attacking the FairTax. It is time to stand up and let them know that we are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore! Join us in telling your elected officials it is time to represent our voice and not the lobbyists in Washington . Tell them it is time for tax reform. Tell them it is time for the FairTax

Thanks for all you do. I'll be at the Defending the American Dream summit in Milwakee this next weekend with Al Ose. Maybe I can swing Congressman Paul Ryan and James Sensenbrenner!!

Hey Ken,

Didn't know if you knew the economist that drafted the economics letter and got it signed by other economists. David Kendall joined the nation today.

I know he has told me in the past he is willing to travel anywhere to speak for the FairTax at no charge except expenses depending on distance...so if there is a need for a Ph.D. economist...

Well, I am on it!! It is helpful for the FairTax grassroots leaders to get feedbackand support from national... so thanks!

Can I use the premise of your blog for a letter to the editor? This has been one of my main points lately, even more so than all the financial benefits of the FairTax.
Bob Martin
Wi Dist-3&7 CC

Go Ken! You are a great writer and speaker for the FairTax and we are so lucky to have you. Keep it up. By the way, thank you for publicly supporting the Grassroots Freedom Rides. We finally have a way to connect the national leadership with the grassroots again and it feels great! Everyone is feeling the strength of the FairTax this year.

Ken,
It is great to have you here with us. I have followed several of your radio interviews, and called in to talk to you on the one from Nashville. I again want to express my thanks for your ability to clearly present the information on Fair Tax.