The media, both liberal and conservative, is proclaiming that there will be “tax reform” in 2017. Many Members of Congress, both liberal and conservative, have announced that there will be “tax reform” in 2017.
While many of the “tax reform” plans are not really reforms at all, the famous lipstick on a pig example, there is still an opportunity to educate both FAIRtax sponsors and even Members who have announced a preference for a “flat tax” or even minor reforms of the current income tax system.
In the past, I have appeared at a number of tax reform forums sponsored by a Member of Congress. These forums were sponsored and promoted by the Member and generally had a spokesperson for the FAIRtax, the flat income tax and soemtimes even someone promoting the present income tax system.
The Member was the moderator and introduced the speakers. The format was for the speakers to give a brief explanation of their proposed tax reform and then open the floor for questions. Generally, it worked out better to have the questions written and handed in to the moderator who selected the questions and they were answered by the speakers.
At the end of the presentations, the Member generally asked the audience to indicate their preferred tax reform. The FAIRtax always won and this obviously made an impression on the Member and the staff.
OTHER BENEFITS
First, as indicated above, the Member was often surprised to see the amount of support for the FAIRtax. Second, the Member generally came into the forum, even if the Member was a FAIRtax cosponsor, with only a very rudimentary knowledge of the FAIRtax. By hearing the answers to questions about how the FAIRtax actually works, the Member is much more knowledgeable and much more comfortable discussing the FAIRtax.
THE BEST WAY TO ARRANGE A FORUM
The people who are generally the best at arranging for a tax reform forum are the district directors for House members and the state directors for Senators. These people are directly responsible for showing the constituents that their elected representative is listening.
Getting meetings with these state and district directors is much easier than with the Member. Most of them will be intrigued by the proposal. You can tell them that AFFT will help promote the forum and arrange speakers for the event and they can speak with the Member to get agreement. Once they obtain agreement from the Member to having a tax reform forum, then let Peggy or me know and we will help you get the speakers representing the other forms of tax reform.
FAIRTAX FORUM
One caution is that some Members will just want the forum to be about the FAIRtax. This was the case in Kansas. Senator Moran just wanted to discuss the reasons he supported the FAIRtax. This is obviously better for us because we have more time to explain the FAIRtax. If they just want to have a FAIRtax forum then by all means we will help you set up this forum.
WIN-WIN
The great thing about helping arrange a tax reform forum that benefits the Member’s district or state director and the Member is that you develop a relationship as someone providing help to them. They are constantly besieged by people who ask for something and someone who is actually helping them is going to stand out. You can ask several of our supporters who have arranged these meetings and all of them will tell you that they now have a very cordial relationship with both the Member and their staff which they never had before.
One of our board members who arranged one of these forums said that the Member used to move away when he saw him in the room but now walks over to warmly greet him.
JANUARY D.C. TRIP
Peggy and I are planning to be in D.C. the last week in January. We have found that the most effective way of obtaining meetings with the Members is if they are asked for my constituents. Many of our meetings have included constituents via a speaker phone. Please contact Peggy at peggy.green-ernst@fairtax.org
1040 CLUB
At no time in the history of the FAIRtax have we had the opportunity we have now. WE have a Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee who is a cosponsor. We have all of the Presidential candidates talking about the need for tax reform.
We need your help to maintain the basic operations of AFFT. We are not paying any salaries and most of us are even paying our own expenses. We have a relatively painless way for you to help.
To those of you not familiar with the 1040 Club, AFFT is asking people to contribute $10.40 per month to AFFT. This provides a steady funding platform and allows us to spend our time not trying to raise money but actually working with groups to help make passage of the FAIRtax a reality. Thanks to each of you who have joined the 1040 Club. You are ensuring that Americans For Fair Taxation can continue to promote the FAIRtax.
If you are not a member of the 1040 Club, or if you are a member but want to join for someone else, please go to this link and sign up.
FAIRtax Power Radio
Whether you’re a FAIRtax volunteer or an informed citizen who wishes to be better informed, we encourage you to listen to FAIRtax Power Radio, the online radio show that is available when you are. Bob and Ron just finished a series of three episodes in which they discuss criticisms of the FAIRtax that we have all heard over the years. This series is episodes 20, 21 & 22 and can be heard on SoundCloud (which is FREE) at these links:
FTPR 20 http://bit.ly/1h2R4pO
FTPR 21 http://bit.ly/1NX8Qrs
FTPR 22 http://bit.ly/1M4NwlEAFFT National LOGO Store and Scrolling Signs
The AFFT national store is operating and providing all of us with access to materials that help introduce the FAIRtax to others. Please click here to visit the store.
Thank You For Opening The FAIRtax Chronicles, Our Sponsored Mailings
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Thank you for staying FairTax strong!