Of all the proposals I like the Fair Tax the most, but the solution is NOT in taxation, but smaller government and independence from government at every level.

Look at the price of oil/fuel …. what caused it…. a cessation/severe reduction of consumption and a move to alternatives that breaks the monopoly.

Pay off all debt and don’t go in debt. Then stop using credit cards. Purchase that which increases independence and breaks monopolies.

Purchase only from the best of the best those with the utmost integrity and pride of craftsmanship. Yes, you will have less quantity but you will inspire quality and faithness.

Other than national defense, if we “do the right thing” we don’t need much government and government is overhead as it produces almost nothing.

I observe in 1960 ? Lyndon Johnson then Reagan a bit- but under both Bush’s – tax rates hit the 30’s – STARTING from near 90’s iirc in 1940’s for top percentiles.

so, we went from 90% to 60, 50, then under Johnson, Bush I and Bush II iirc, it hovered in the 30’s – MAYBE it did under Reagan too. Either way, I ALWAYS found those BLIPS on high percentile dropping to – well- no lower than 30 to date.

Now, seeing it THAAAAYAT way, on a time line, you will see three blips if I recall, where taxes hit low 30’s. This last admin was one of them.

I have to interest one way or the other other than I recall seeing the entire SPAN of history on tax rates, and political office, it’s interesting to note Bush I and II both reach 30’s where in all of US history to the 40’s – I think we only have 3 real big blips.

doesn’t matter.

no jobs, or higher unemployment – OFTEN is to no funds to employ with – or maybe credit – who knows what drives the unemployment, but no jobs = less taxes coming in to pay for the companies that got the loans to ? extend to the consumer ? eventually ?

or has it come to this…

Real tax payers money/monies against paper debt on throw the dart at the board losses on derivatives.

I suppose it’s important to follow through and realize that tax money backing TARP, depends on jobs certainly to follow through with backing it to have taxes to pay income on from anyway.

The flat tax IS the best way to go, but the political will to implement it is not there.

1) As mentioned above, a flat tax can be taxed on production, but at a lower level, without deductions, exemptions, credits and exclusions. A 10% tax on ALL citizens (that’s right, ALL. It is not right nor fair that the poor are exempted from paying taxes even though they consume more of the public goods that are being paid for) would be efficient and predictable and eliminate much of the waste that is associated with tax planning at all levels.

2) This point is moot, as a sales tax is levied in many states that affect the poor, as well as a gas tax. However, a sales tax is flat and predictable and it consumes a share of the price of the good being purchased relative to the price of the good that is being bought (i.e. a $1 million home would yield a higher tax than a $100,000 home, thus proportionately causing the rich to pay a higher tax).

3 & 4) An amendment to #1 to address 3&4: give low to middle income individuals tax credits to offset the cost of state and local taxes such as income taxes and property taxes. However, this one can be optional because of the total cost savings that the taxpayer would incur at the national level would translate into real wealth for the taxpayer at the private level.