“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi

Feature Article: FairTax - What will it take?

The following are excerpts from a post on the FairTaxer blog. The article in its entirety is here.

No one who knows anything about Washington politics ever thought passing the FairTax would be easy. The fact is, in real terms, it may be harder to get the FairTax passed than our original rebellion against the British Crown and the ratification of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution combined.

The original colonies had many who still supported the King, and felt their lives would be more comfortable under British rule, but even they recognized the British Empire had real problems, and that the American colonists needed and deserved more autonomy.

The only question was how to go about getting it...

The colonists, while not united in their feelings toward rebellion, all recognized that a change was necessary...

Contrast that with today’s environment... Many of those in leadership positions have significant personal investment in the current system and are, therefore, reluctant to take any action that endangers their political power, campaign resources, or personal wealth. They like things the way they are, even if it means fiscal catastrophe at some point in the not too distant future.  After all, they won’t be the ones most affected.

In a nutshell, the cards are stacked against the FairTax. But the opposition, like any House of Cards, is doomed to fall.

The FairTax is simply too good, too necessary, and too important to be defeated. In the past, political opponents of the FairTax could make outrageous claims, and no one disputed them. Now, when folks like Bruce Bartlett torture the truth to promote their personal agenda, a cadre of dedicated, and educated, FairTaxers take him to task...

Presidential candidate Herman Cain didn’t mince words when challenged on the FairTax. He looked directly into the camera, and told the American public the Bush Presidential Tax Commission was wrong on the FairTax, and had deliberately “fudged” the numbers to get the answers they wanted...

Today, we have too many who are willing to trade their liberty for tax breaks, their freedom and right of self-determination for security, and control of their futures for promises of personal enrichment at the expense of their fellow citizens...

More than two hundred years ago, a few brave Americans refused to shrink from the challenge before them, and from their efforts, a new Nation was born. Today, we, their descendents, are faced with the challenge of preserving it.

So, the answer to the question, “what will it take to pass the FairTax,” is simple...

Americans.

FairTax Hearing Update

At this time we're not certain a FairTax hearing will be held on July 26 with the debt ceiling stalemate in Washington, DC and the August recess approaching.

However, Chairman Camp promised a hearing on HR 25 and we expect it in the near future. While we work on scheduling it, please encourage him take action soon by signing the request here. Thanks you!

Grassroots Spotlight: Online Activists

Mentioned in the previous article was a FairTax hit piece by Bruce Bartlet, “Is FairTax Herman Cain’s Ace in the Hole," New York Times. FairTax activists are not letting blatant distortions stand. Below are some FairTaxer's comments on that article.

John, NH - "Despite the transparent silliness of the Fair Tax..." I see. Since this is not an idea of the establishment, it is "silly". Shows they have struck a nerve that you can only argue that it is "silly".

Rgeorge, MI - Bartlett has been the front man for protecting the status quo in the Federal Government to include the Shadow Government using both parties to dance for us while we march into the vast Nationalist State of non-Constitution rule by this power.

Karla, Owasso - What a baised story. Incredibly poor reporting skills. He is targeting those individuals he believes will be too lazy to research this topic and take his word as factual. However, his word is not fact.I hope those of you unfamiliar with The Fair Tax will take a moment and go to their website and do some research before forming an opinion either way.

Kicker, OH - The method of computing the FairTax rate is no more "fraudulent" than the one used to calculate the current income tax, both are on an inclusive basis. Since the FairTax is replacing the income tax, it makes perfect sense to compare them using the same accounting basis.

Paul Pcb, FL - ... I'm a democrat. I like the "idea" of a progressive tax... A simple, unavoidable, efficient tax like the Fairtax may not be "perfect", but it's better than any other i've seen because it allows the poor to keep what they have, while stopping politicians from giving our tax money to the rich.

Ian Repley, Ann Arbor, MI - Keep in mind that, theoretically, no U.S. citizen pays an actual 23% rate, since they receive the recompensatory prebate. Thus, poverty level rate is 0%. Spending at: 2 X the poverty level, you pay 11.5% - 3 X the poverty level, you pay 15.3% - 4 X the poverty level, you pay 17.25%.

Leah, CA - The more I hear about the Fair tax the more I like it... We stop punishing people for being productive. We stop punishing the poor for moving up. We stop punishing employers for hiring people. Everyone pays taxes, including criminals and illegal aliens. The consumer, not the government decides which industries to favor. There's much to like here.

Is someone your FairTax inspiration? Email media@fairtax.org to nominate them for the spotlight! 

FairTax In the News

Economic Vision, Part 3: A fairer tax – The North Star National

Paying taxes is a fact of life, because there are certain things that our federal government must provide as enumerated in the Constitution. But paying taxes does not have to be unfair, burdensome and costly. Our current system of taxation is all three, and it got that way little by little over time since 1913.

The Fair Tax (H.R. 25) is a fairer tax because it is just the opposite. It is fair because the consumer determines their taxes based on their purchase behavior instead of being determined by the government based on one’s capacity to produce. Our production is measured in terms of personal income and business profits...

As president, I will end the insanity of the current tax code. It’s common sense.

Sen. Lugar Reintroduces Fair Tax Plan – WIBC News

Senator Lugar says his plan is a tax reform which eliminates the IRS, income taxes and all of the tax codes currently in place. "It essentially puts in place what amounts to a tax on purchases, on retail sales and that way you don't have to file returns. Everybody pays as they go in the process," Lugar says.

Senator Lugar says the Fair Tax plan frees up capital for individuals and businesses but the tax issue is a complex one and he doesn't expect it to be resolved by the August 2nd deadline on raising the debt ceiling. Lugar says he wants the Fair Tax issue to be on the table when discussing tax reform because he feels it makes sense.

Understanding the FairTax Webinar 

With Special Topic: Is the 23% rate enough, given Washington spending habits?

When: Thursday, July 28, 2011

Time: 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain,  5 pm Pacific

Where: At your personal computer

Why: To provide an interactive forum for people who cannot get to local meetings to learn about the FairTax and to present special topics that are frequently misunderstood or not generally discussed.

Who: Join Marc Manieri, Americans for Fair Taxation Community Coordinator in the Greater Orlando, Florida area. In their third year now, Marc’s webinars draw national participation from seasoned FairTax supporters as well as those just getting introduced to the FairTax.