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Flat Tax

September 1, 2005 09:24 AM

The tax system in the US is as unfair, burdensome, and corrupt as it can be. Its complexity reflects the creation of tax benefits to pressure groups by a Congress that is out of touch and too responsive to special interests. And these special interests go far beyond business to charities, foundations, labor, universities, churches and, well the list is endless.

It is a game in which every tax break is seen as a benefit to the recipients, but becomes a burden on everyone else. If many groups form and receive these breaks, then in the end no one gains anything. It is a bit of a Ponzi scheme run by Congress. They get to hand out these prizes, but in the end everyone is disadvantaged by some advantage given to others. In the end, we all lose. Only Congress gains in control of the tax proceeds and in being in control of the granting of tax privileges in exchange for the power and contributions they bring. The tax system is an enormous burden on us all.

It is time to end all this. A long time ago Milton Friedman championed the flat tax. He didn't invent it, every tax known to mankind has been tried by rulers great and small for centuries. But, he did bring it to the attention of economists and others in his popular books.

Some Latin American countries implemented the flat tax years ago. Russia did it last year. And others will follow. Steve Forbes campaigned on it. And he has a book out on the flat tax that is selling well. Now it is time for President Bush to champion the idea and get it done.

John Fund has a brief discussion of the debate around the world on the flat tax.

· Everything

Comments

Hello all

Posted by: Hydrocodone [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 27, 2006 6:25 AM

To the answer your remark about Mullahs looking for the self monitry gains. I totally agree with your statement, but so are the clergys of different religions who are also in the same boat.

I bet you have watched some Avanglist programmes and the monies they collect with their facade from
innocent people.
To answer "who done it/",
I suggest you to take a look at www.idaho-observer.com site for the answer, or read "crossing the Rubicon", if you have not already done so.

I have come to the conclusion in my mind, that there is a Creator of the universe, regardless of by whichever name you call, after that all the religions are have been man's device.
Since Faith is supposed to be blind it has been exploited anywhichway.

Sattar.

Posted by: Sattar [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 13, 2005 6:33 AM

Then based on your reply #1, I assume you would like to see withholding abolished, right? It certainly would focus a lot more of the public's attention on taxes if everyone had to write one big fat check to the IRS every April.

Posted by: dfobare [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 1, 2005 9:31 PM

I oppose the sales tax because: 1. it is too diffuse being spread over many purchases there is no direct perception of paying a tax, and 2. it is too easy to manipulate, putting sin taxes on some products and low taxes on others. It presents another way to favor some products or groups over others.

Posted by: Art [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 1, 2005 7:49 PM

Bush II's first Treasury Sec, Paul O'Neill said that the Fortune 500 spent more on tax compliance than on taxes themselves.

If I recall it correctly, in Hong Kong's independent days the income tax form consisted of just 8 pages -- 4 in English and 4 in Mandarin. Most people couldn't even name the HK version of the IRS -- the Inland Revenue Department.

2 questions: Any thoughts on the passing of Jude Wanniski? And why do you prefer a flat income tax over a sales tax?

Posted by: dfobare [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 1, 2005 7:34 PM

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