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Let's talk tax policy.

Headhunter

MegaPoke is insane
Gold Member
May 29, 2001
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I don't take much issue with a flat tax, it would be a huge improvement over what we have now. But I'm totally on board with the Fair Tax concept.

The reason is the underground economy. There is a huge segment of the economy whether it be illegal or legal that operate on cash or barter. A huge amount of that is not reported. Let's take a simple example, a barber or hair dresser. A lot of their income is cash. Now I'm not judging but does anyone really believe they report ALL of their income.

With a sales tax based system if you save, your rewarded with only paying taxes on earnings you spend and you become a more independent person who doesn't need government for financial security. But with the sales tax system everyone who makes a dollar then spends that dollar pays their tax.

Also all the people who come just to visit or stay for a short time contribute to the taxes needed to support the infrastructure they use while they are here, including police and emergency services.

Makes sense to me, how about you guys?
 
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It'll never happen. Pols need income based tax for 2 reasons. They don't want savers, as that cuts into their revenue and more importantly, they can't influence behavior with a flat or fair tax (also cannot buy votes with credits and deductions).
 
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It'll never happen. Pols need income based tax for 2 reasons. They don't want savers, as that cuts into their revenue and more importantly, they can't influence behavior with a flat or fair tax (also cannot buy votes with credits and deductions).
No doubt the lobby industry is destroyed without being able to give money to the political class to influence the tax code. It also stops the politicians control over the people through tax gifts.

That's totally why I'm for it. Not saying it will happen but it is what needs to happen.
 
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gop_candidates_tax_plans_-_final.png
 
I don't take much issue with a flat tax, it would be a huge improvement over what we have now. But I'm totally on board with the Fair Tax concept.

The reason is the underground economy. There is a huge segment of the economy whether it be illegal or legal that operate on cash or barter. A huge amount of that is not reported. Let's take a simple example, a barber or hair dresser. A lot of their income is cash. Now I'm not judging but does anyone really believe they report ALL of their income.

With a sales tax based system if you save, your rewarded with only paying taxes on earnings you spend and you become a more independent person who doesn't need government for financial security. But with the sales tax system everyone who makes a dollar then spends that dollar pays their tax.

Also all the people who come just to visit or stay for a short time contribute to the taxes needed to support the infrastructure they use while they are here, including police and emergency services.

Makes sense to me, how about you guys?
I think the Fair Tax is an intriguing concept, but I think you're overestimating the amount of tax that is underpaid due to people under-reporting cash-based income.
 
I think the Fair Tax is an intriguing concept, but I think you're overestimating the amount of tax that is underpaid due to people under-reporting cash-based income.
You really think gang bangers and their illegal ilk are declaring their cash income? Not to mention people who have cash businesses? That is so naive.
 
Never gonna happen in my opinion. There are too many people out there that love the status quo, and a drastic change could cause shock the system.
 
You really think gang bangers and their illegal ilk are declaring their cash income? Not to mention people who have cash businesses? That is so naive.
Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit. I absolutely DON'T believe those types are declaring their income. What I'm saying is that on the whole, I don't believe the government is missing out on as much taxable income as you seem to think it is.
 
Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit. I absolutely DON'T believe those types are declaring their income. What I'm saying is that on the whole, I don't believe the government is missing out on as much taxable income as you seem to think it is.
Not sure about the source, but looks like lots of lost revenue federal, state and locally due to misclassification, unreported cash earnings and payroll fraud. http://www.jwj.org/billions-in-revenue-lost-due-to-misclassifcation
 
How big is the drug trade in this country? I have a hard time believing that in 2 or 3 trillion economy the government is only missing out on 10 billion in non reported taxes.

Even if it is only 10 billion that's still a huge amount of money. Do you think the state of Oklahoma would like an extra 200,000,000 in their budget?
 
A fair tax would do two things: Massively exacerbate income inequality and help organized crime.
 
Nice job backing up those claims. I'll wait for your Krugman cut and paste.

It common sense. We have a progressive tax structure now where the wealthy pay most of the taxes. Millions pay little or no tax at all. A fair tax would be terribly regressive and fall on everyone. It would be the most massive tax cut in history for the rich.

The mafia would go wild. They would hold up every truck, train and plane they could find. The black market would go wild for "tax free" goods.
 
It common sense. We have a progressive tax structure now where the wealthy pay most of the taxes. Millions pay little or no tax at all. A fair tax would be terribly regressive and fall on everyone. It would be the most massive tax cut in history for the rich.

The mafia would go wild. They would hold up every truck, train and plane they could find. The black market would go wild for "tax free" goods.

The fair tax pays a rebate check to the poor, and I'm sure it would ultimately change to go on up middle class as well. It is still very regressive as the poor would still pay no taxes, as they old get a check covering their consumption based tax amount.

I don't get your mafia comment. Are you suggesting they are claiming income tax today or they would just sell tax free goods? I don't think that is really a huge concern in the multi trillion dollar economy....sure it would happen, but wouldn't come close to offsetting the additional tax revenue brought in from those not currently paying income tax.

But like I originally said, it will never happen...you can't hide gifts in it and cannot control behavior.
 
It common sense. We have a progressive tax structure now where the wealthy pay most of the taxes. Millions pay little or no tax at all. A fair tax would be terribly regressive and fall on everyone. It would be the most massive tax cut in history for the rich.

The mafia would go wild. They would hold up every truck, train and plane they could find. The black market would go wild for "tax free" goods.
Under a certain income would pay ZERO taxes and would actually get a nice check back every year.

How is what you posted about the Mafia different than what they do now? They still have to have houses and legal cars to get around in. Their spouses and kids still like to shop as usual your nonsensical liberal economics are garbage.
 
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