Fire the IRS, institute a National Sales Tax.
Back during the all the hooplah on the television, radio, papers, bumper stickers, you name it and it had Bush or Kerry written on it. Now I have a hell of a commute to work each day (90ish miles one way) so that means a get a lot of windshield time, an actual benefit is that I do not have a cd/mp3 player in my truck yet, no real reason just haven’t gotten around to it yet, so instead I get a lot of listening done, 95% of it being WPR/NPR. With pretty good reason, content that really means stuff! One candidate from so obscure party or another, they try to give everyone on any ballot time to speak their piece, some are come off as total nut jobs, others as more liberal, or extremists, whatever, to the point, this fella actually had an idea that I still think should really be looked at, it really makes sense!
Fire the IRS, institute a reasonable National Sales Tax. Before you line me up for the funny farm, think about this. Figure out how much in Federal taxes you pay every year, either direct of from the withholdings the government is earning interest on for you each paycheck. Now instead of this large chunk missing from your paycheck each time, instead you pay it in smaller pieces on the durable goods you purchase, when you purchase them. Take a ballpark figure of 12%, yeah seems like a lot, but you have that extra cash in your wallet since Uncle Sam doesn’t have it yet.
A little math and you’d come up with a fair and equitable percentage that is real. Where would the benefit come in… first saves billions in running the IRS, a couple dozen computers would replace 90% of the ‘people’ and require a couple buildings. instant cost savings. Now take the drug dealers and those with large unreported incomes, and those flippin’ lawyers charging $200/hour but reporting losses every other year, do they buy stuff? You bet your ass they do, and lots of it too! Bear in mind this should only apply to ‘durable’ goods, not food items. This lifts the burden off those who earn less hence the spend a higher percentage on food then those soccer moms driving $30K SUV’s, or the dope dealer and his $80K Hummer he paid cash for.
If you’ve read through this whole thing and actually take a minute to think about it…. It would not only make sense, but it’d work too! Hell, it might even put a few bucks back into Social Security and stuff for me when I retire in 20 years.
Comments?
April 4th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
Consumption taxes disproportionately inhibite the less fortunate in society. This is the socialist line….
Here in Canada we “enjoy” a consumption tax rate of 15% and are also blessed with an income tax system to make sure the rich pay their fair share.
Talk about getting it from both ends.
Personally I believe in the capitalist way, if you don’t work you don’t eat…
For the socialist’s who would oppose any form of consumption tax, remember guys life is just inherently unfair. My income should have no determination in regard to my tax liability.
Consumption tax is the way to go.
April 4th, 2005 at 7:31 pm
Hey, Jenni, I didn’t know you were Canadian too!
Thanks for posting your little man on my map, Dave! I would return the favour but you don’t have one. Let me know when you get one. See ya.
April 5th, 2005 at 9:45 am
It’s an excellent idea just like (IMO) the proposed Social Security revision is a good idea but there is so much very strong, well-organized opposition to ideas like these, it’ll probably be a long time, if ever, before we see it.