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http://www.fairtax.org/ these 2 links are to consumer-advocate organizations for a National Sales Tax. You can learn more, sign a petition, contact your representatives, etc. http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-272es.html this is a public-policy paper from the Cato Institute. It's from '97, but it is still relevant today since we haven't done squat about it. |
If I were king, we'd throw out the current income tax, with all its stupid little loopholes and complicated rules, and replace it with a National Sales Tax. It would start at about 15%, and may decrease to 10 - 12% over the years.
Why do this? Many reasons leap to mind: * It would make it virtually impossible to cheat on taxes, you pay 'em every time you spend money. * No more debates about what is deductible and what isn't, no more "marriage taxes", no more shady tax shelters... You can do whatever the heck you like with your money, the government will get theirs when you spend it. * There are various people who jump through strange loopholes to avoid paying any tax at all - and yet they should, and they continue to receive significant benefits from the government. A National Sales, Tax pulls these weasles back in line. * Almost completely eliminates "doing taxes". It eliminates the IRS too - but I guess we'll just have to learn to live without them. * It greases the skids for specific use-based charges. For example, money to repair interstates and local roads should come right out of a gasoline tax. * Most existing government services scale better on consumption than they do on income. For example, today, many people from other countries come to the USA on vacation. While they are here, they are protected by our Police, our Fire Departments, they drive on our roads, etc. I hardly begrudge visitors any of this - but it would be Only Fair if they ponied up some of the cost. * Taxing consumption removes taxing interest income - cool, this is one of the most unfair taxes. * Many profitable businesses today pay little to no income tax because they have smart accountants. [or, they have funded a PAC to pass congressional legislation to their benefit]. A National Sales Tax puts the ki-bosh on this. * It gives people additional incentive to consume less. In the coming century we're going to run up against the environmental limits of our consumption in many different ways, and a consumption tax will help people receive feedback on their impact. Of course, this idea is far from original, it has been around the block many times. Check out some of the links at above left for further info. Here's the deal: The government works - in theory - for you and me. In practice, they are far more swayed by companies and PACs throwing around the big $$$. So - the Congress has no incentive to propose or pass a National Sales Tax even though it would be in our best interest. The point is, we'll have to continually hold their feet to the fire to make it work. |