Question (Atlanta, Decatur: section 8, sales tax, title)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by goozer

The Fair Tax has a strong cult following. It has an even greater number of "opponents" who think it is completely unfeasible. The truth is probably in the middle. Unfortunately, I don't know of any objective middle-of-the-road analyses that you could use to inform yourself. Whatever you pick up to read on the subject will likely be authored by zealots in favor of it (such as Neil Boortz) or opponents who think it is a cultish joke.

Bottom line...the Fair Tax is not going to pass, now or ever, in its proposed form. But like all novel ideas, it enhances the discussion on how best to tax the people and pay for government. Our tax system if far from perfect, as we all know.

Well, the 'cult members' are showing up 50,000-60,000 strong at rallies in support of the Fair Tax...and where are these "greater numbers of opponents"? They're certainly not opposed enough to it to form their own organizations.
There are plenty of objective analyses of the Fair Tax out there right now, some written by recognized economists, that don't smack of zealotry at all. A simple Google search will reveal them.

[RoslynHolcomb]

As I understand the Fair Tax, it's a repeal of the income tax and other taxes and the implementation of a 20% (?) national sales tax. I think there's a rebate for necessities (I assume they mean food and medicine).

Coming from a state that relies very heavily on sales taxes (Alabama), while having the lowest property taxes in the nation, I'm more than a bit leery on the notion of funding government through sales taxes. In my experience they're simply not stable. In times like these when folks stop buying stuff revenue decreases.

Every year in my former state there were lay-offs, hiring freezes and social workers were put on travel restrictions. (Try doing casework from the comfort of your office. It's like making bricks without straw.)

Maybe I missed something in (very basic) description I read, but I'm very leery of a sales tax base for government funding.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Well, the 'cult members' are showing up 50,000-60,000 strong at rallies in support of the Fair Tax...and where are these "greater numbers of opponents"? They're certainly not opposed enough to it to form their own organizations.

Fairtax is such an uphill battle there would be no point in forming an anti-fair tax group.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by JPD

Fairtax is such an uphill battle there would be no point in forming an anti-fair tax group.

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

rcsteiner, have I told you lately that I love you?

[gt6974a]

I voted for Huckabee b/c he was for the Fair Tax.

The fair tax has been heavily researched by all sorts of people, not just politicians, with millions spent on the research.

I support and would love to see it happen.

[itpgardengal]

I would love to see the fair tax implemented!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

rcsteiner, have I told you lately that I love you?

Uh...

I thought it was an appropriate quote -- very popular with the Linux community which I've been a part of since 1992.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

The only fighting I've seen is from the fairtax side. I've seen it first hand. If you understand that quote, it implies that the side that refuses to fight wins. Therefore, that is a poor choice for a quote.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by JPD

The only fighting I've seen is from the fairtax side.

Wow, you must lead a sheltered life. I've seen the general "fair tax" concept attacked overtly in several media contexts over the past few years, and a simple web search will confirm that. Some folks get downright hostile about the idea.

I've seen it first hand. If you understand that quote, it implies that the side that refuses to fight wins. Therefore, that is a poor choice for a quote.

First of all, passive resistance is still resistance, and I don't believe that it would qualify as a "refusal to fight".

That isn't really relevant, though. The quote describes the stages that an opponent goes through when faced with a growing grassroots movement, and in this case I think it's a fairly good fit.