Why is President Bush Against the (Notso) Fair Tax?
By Steve Young
“The check is in the mail" has long been one of the world's greatest lies.
And today that pitch just might be the prelude to the biggest lie ready to be foisted on the American public...a national sales tax, or what some have taken to call the Fair Tax.
When the new congress assembles in January, the so-called Fair Tax will hit on the legislative agenda - if some Republicans have their way.
In a preemptive strike, talk show host Neal Boortz and Congressman John Linder (R. Ga - 7 District), have put out a book (pamphlet), then ran the talk show table facing toothless hosts hustling the benefits of their Fair Tax. Representative Tom Price (R. Ga - 6th District) is making it his baby as the co-sponsor of a bill that will catapult the IRA from existence.
It sounded great. A little too great. Snake oil salesman great. And when I read the dedication of the Bootz/Linder pamphlet, the snake oil began to put out that odor that can turn one's stomach.
"This book is dedicated to the tens of thousands of Americans-individuals and business owners alike-who have found their dreams of a better live crushed under the weight of an oppressive tax system that stifles initiative and punished achievement."
Hmm. Tens of thousands. Omigawd! I pulled out my trusty calculator and figuring quickly that the United States is made up of tens of ten millions, it would seem that Boortz and Linder intend their NOTSO Fair Tax plan to help less that 1/10th of 1% of America. Wow. That only leaves, let's see...OVER 99.9% OF AMERICA out in the cold!
Wonder which 1/10th of 1% it intends to help?
Now, I'm no expert on medical questions, that's why when I get sick I go to my doctor. I'm also no expert on taxes. Ask my accountant. So to find out about the realities of the Fair Tax I went to the experts. And so I wouldn't be accused of going to the dark - Democrats - side, I figured I go to the experts who you'd think would naturally partner up with Boortz, Linder and Price...the ones that President George Bush sides with.
In this case, his experts; the White House's own Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform.
Since you probably won't find out why President Bush doesn't agree with Boortz and Linder from any show they go on to promote their book or when Tom Price hits the campaign trail, I figure the following should explain some of the President's problems with their plan. This just may be the most important Q&A that you'll need to bring into the voting booth this November. (The answers are expropriated directly from the final report of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. The snide remarks are mine. I mean, I have the right. I had to put out the good money to buy the pamphlet.)
Question - Would the National Sales Tax that Boortz/Linder/Price have laid out lower the amount American's pay in taxes?
White House Advisory Panel Answer - It is "absent a way to ease the burden on the low and middle class Americans." It would increase taxes for over 80% of Americans, reducing taxes for less than the top 20 %. (Far less if Boortz and Linder's dedication is anywhere near right.)
Q - Will the plan eliminate entitlements?
A - It will create the largest entitlement plan in American history. (Republicans have touted their efforts to reduce entitlement, now we've got Republicans figuring on ways to increase it.)
Q - Will the plan will decrease the size and scope of government?
A - It will actually INCREASE the SIZE and SCOPE of government. (Can't wait to see that Price use that as a campaign pledge.)
Q - Would the plan make American's less dependent on the government?
A - It would make most Americans dependent on a monthly check from the government for a substantial portion of their income. (Good God I thought we were trying to get rid of welfare.)
Q - Is the plan a progressive tax as the President wanted?
A.- Nope. (And we're not talking "progressive" in any liberal method or manner. Progressive in what the word "FAIR" should really be about.)
Q - Would the new plan reduce tax evasion?
A - The tax rate will likely be in the 34% level and would likely cause tax evasion. That means more policing and more expenses to pay for it. (See "Increasing the size and scope of government).
Q - Would this plan do away with the cumbersome IRS?
A - Yes. And it would need to be replaced by another to administer the program. (Um...one like the IRS?)
Well, looking up at the old tick-tock on the wall, that's about all the time we have for this Q&A. I want to thank Mr. Boortz, Linder and Price for bringing their plan to the column. If you'd like check out any more myths in the NOTSO Fair Tax program, and why President Bush thinks it's wrong, why not check out Chapter Nine of President Bush's Tax Reform Panel report
I understand that Republicans may not cotton to putting a Democrat in office, but when even your party's President says your party is trying to sell you snake-oil, you just might want to place the American people ahead of the party. Sometimes good medicine doesn't taste so good, but it's a hell of a lot better than swallowing the stuff that will only make you sicker.
By Steve Young
“The check is in the mail" has long been one of the world's greatest lies.
And today that pitch just might be the prelude to the biggest lie ready to be foisted on the American public...a national sales tax, or what some have taken to call the Fair Tax.
When the new congress assembles in January, the so-called Fair Tax will hit on the legislative agenda - if some Republicans have their way.
In a preemptive strike, talk show host Neal Boortz and Congressman John Linder (R. Ga - 7 District), have put out a book (pamphlet), then ran the talk show table facing toothless hosts hustling the benefits of their Fair Tax. Representative Tom Price (R. Ga - 6th District) is making it his baby as the co-sponsor of a bill that will catapult the IRA from existence.
It sounded great. A little too great. Snake oil salesman great. And when I read the dedication of the Bootz/Linder pamphlet, the snake oil began to put out that odor that can turn one's stomach.
"This book is dedicated to the tens of thousands of Americans-individuals and business owners alike-who have found their dreams of a better live crushed under the weight of an oppressive tax system that stifles initiative and punished achievement."
Hmm. Tens of thousands. Omigawd! I pulled out my trusty calculator and figuring quickly that the United States is made up of tens of ten millions, it would seem that Boortz and Linder intend their NOTSO Fair Tax plan to help less that 1/10th of 1% of America. Wow. That only leaves, let's see...OVER 99.9% OF AMERICA out in the cold!
Wonder which 1/10th of 1% it intends to help?
Now, I'm no expert on medical questions, that's why when I get sick I go to my doctor. I'm also no expert on taxes. Ask my accountant. So to find out about the realities of the Fair Tax I went to the experts. And so I wouldn't be accused of going to the dark - Democrats - side, I figured I go to the experts who you'd think would naturally partner up with Boortz, Linder and Price...the ones that President George Bush sides with.
In this case, his experts; the White House's own Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform.
Since you probably won't find out why President Bush doesn't agree with Boortz and Linder from any show they go on to promote their book or when Tom Price hits the campaign trail, I figure the following should explain some of the President's problems with their plan. This just may be the most important Q&A that you'll need to bring into the voting booth this November. (The answers are expropriated directly from the final report of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. The snide remarks are mine. I mean, I have the right. I had to put out the good money to buy the pamphlet.)
Question - Would the National Sales Tax that Boortz/Linder/Price have laid out lower the amount American's pay in taxes?
White House Advisory Panel Answer - It is "absent a way to ease the burden on the low and middle class Americans." It would increase taxes for over 80% of Americans, reducing taxes for less than the top 20 %. (Far less if Boortz and Linder's dedication is anywhere near right.)
Q - Will the plan eliminate entitlements?
A - It will create the largest entitlement plan in American history. (Republicans have touted their efforts to reduce entitlement, now we've got Republicans figuring on ways to increase it.)
Q - Will the plan will decrease the size and scope of government?
A - It will actually INCREASE the SIZE and SCOPE of government. (Can't wait to see that Price use that as a campaign pledge.)
Q - Would the plan make American's less dependent on the government?
A - It would make most Americans dependent on a monthly check from the government for a substantial portion of their income. (Good God I thought we were trying to get rid of welfare.)
Q - Is the plan a progressive tax as the President wanted?
A.- Nope. (And we're not talking "progressive" in any liberal method or manner. Progressive in what the word "FAIR" should really be about.)
Q - Would the new plan reduce tax evasion?
A - The tax rate will likely be in the 34% level and would likely cause tax evasion. That means more policing and more expenses to pay for it. (See "Increasing the size and scope of government).
Q - Would this plan do away with the cumbersome IRS?
A - Yes. And it would need to be replaced by another to administer the program. (Um...one like the IRS?)
Well, looking up at the old tick-tock on the wall, that's about all the time we have for this Q&A. I want to thank Mr. Boortz, Linder and Price for bringing their plan to the column. If you'd like check out any more myths in the NOTSO Fair Tax program, and why President Bush thinks it's wrong, why not check out Chapter Nine of President Bush's Tax Reform Panel report
I understand that Republicans may not cotton to putting a Democrat in office, but when even your party's President says your party is trying to sell you snake-oil, you just might want to place the American people ahead of the party. Sometimes good medicine doesn't taste so good, but it's a hell of a lot better than swallowing the stuff that will only make you sicker.
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