SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Neocon who wrote (24647)7/15/2000 1:37:07 PM
From: greenspirit  Read Replies (2) of 769667
 
Neo, that's interesting. Many years ago I was for a flat tax instead of a consumption tax. The main reason being that border states would have quite a few people buying products on the other side. But my mind was changed primarily because of two things:

1. Simplicity- I have come to believe that the simpler a tax is to understand, the more in-tuned the electorate will be with how much taxes are costing them. A flat tax still requires an action on the part of the electorate in the reporting of income and such. Complexity rises the more steps we have in the process. With complexity comes the willingness for future politicians to alter the system. It's relatively easy to go from a flat tax, to a graduated tax, then to a progressive tax and back to the convoluted system we have today.

2. Heightened Awareness - With a consumption tax people SEE the tax every time they purchase something. I've heard many people complain about the 1.00 surcharge at ATM's, but I've rarely heard them complain about the thousands pulled out of their income under FICA and such. A heightened awareness exists when you see a receipt and realize the tax is what it is. Awareness (by the public) of how high our rate of taxation is, is vitally important if we are ever going to roll back the wasteful social programs designed by Washington to suck the life energy out of the people. Heightened awareness is practically the only thing possible to defend the "starve the children" "starve the elderly" "starve the poor" sound bites which dominate the lefts playbook.

Best, Michael
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News