fair tax ftmfw //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif
Well, since you hopped on board. I will break down the pitfalls of the fair tax.
a) The fair tax assume people are (1) rational and (2) do what's in their economic best interest. In reality they do not. Why would mid-westeners vote Republican when Democratic policies lean more heavily in their economic favor.
(b) The fair tax requires people to spend money at exponential rate. They have to spend money in order for the government to sustain itself. During times of depression, job loss, terrorism, scarcity of resources people spend less money regardless of income, thus depriving the government of money.
© The tax breaks and other subsidies towards the poor only work if the people save the rest of their money. When money is disbursed in lump sums to the poor they often blow it. Think about how many people hit the lotto and go bankrupt. If they were smart enough to manage the winnings from the lotto, they probably won't not play it. A $1000 tax break assumes the poor only spend $4,347.82 on necessary items. I seriously doubt that.
(d) Yes it would encourage investment as RRR would be lower due to less taxation. However, is that "fair" what about people not from this country, they would not be taxed at all, gain a great ROI, and not contribute a **** thing because they are not buying American goods.
(e) you are assuming america is a goods producing economy. It is a service based economy. Under your logic, if I can outsource these services elsewhere because of lower taxation. This would increase our contries use of outsourcing to lower costs. The rest of the world already has depressed wages, why do you want to give them another advantage.
(f) Low income pay no tax whatsoever? I doubt it. The flat tax does provide a great way to capture taxes paid by tax cheats such as drug dealers. They may can avoid the income tax, but it will be hard to dodge the tax on the 23" rims. The "prebate" as its often called is based on food/necesseities. Not all items
(g) Why would you want too create a system which rewards investment but at the same time requiring those same folks to blow every dime they have. It seems hyprocritical to work, unless you are rich or an investor.
(h) Who do you think spends more money in a particular year, the richest man in the world of Joe CEO who makes a tenth. Joe CEO. Bill Gates already paid for his house/car/boat etc. It would make me think twice about upgrading since I have the huge tax burden. Why upgrade at all when I can repair. But wait, the economy requires that I buy buy buy. Bill Gates doesn't spend what the average millionaire spends. I just don't believe it.
(i) Tit for tat. Currently, if I pay you to mow my yard in exchange for me doing your taxes, then we are supposed to record this transaction on our taxes as income. However, under this system, barter could be used to circumvent taxation. If I trade items instead of selling them I can avoid taxation.