Quote:And what's so 1880's about the notion that the government should be taxing what you spend, not what you earn? I think it's not only a fair system, but one that would ultimately go a long way towards improving the overall financial health of Americans. It would teach us to control our spending more in ways that we don't now, leaving more money in American pockets. The difference could be made up in corporate taxation.

 

The biggest argument that I see thrown around is that it's disproportionately unfair to the working class, and to that I say that a provision should be built in allowing some of the tax to be refunded each year based upon income and spending. That bridges the percentage gap between the person making $40k per year and spending $35k of it, and the person making $1M per year and spending $600k of it. If the percentages even out in the end, it's fair to everyone.

 

I've never said that the Fair Tax, etc., etc., doesn't deserve a fair hearing. It doesn't seem likely in our lifetime, but I could probably live with in. As always, it depends on the details. There is no silver bullet in a democracy however.

 

See my response to Eric. Don't want him to change at all. But make an argument, as you have. Look, I believe in the possibility of reincarnation, and Eric was clearly once Andrew Carnegie's press secretary, lol. My only beef is - a little less 19th century political theory that is gone forever and ain't coming back - and a little more 21st century politics.

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