From the Washington Post:
Once Considered Unthinkable, U.S. Sales Tax Gets Fresh Look
With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax.
Common around the world, including in Europe, such a tax — called a value-added tax, or VAT — has not been seriously considered in the United States. But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity.
At a White House conference earlier this year on the government’s budget problems, a roomful of tax experts pleaded with Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner to consider a VAT.
“There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform,” Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said in an interview. “I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table.”
A high-end income tax?!?!?! What the hell do you call the top 10% of earners paying 70% of all income taxes?!?!?
If you are not going to voluntarily give your money away, how else is the fedgov going to pry it from your grubby, greedy fingers?
May 28, 2009 at 5:14 am |
I am just amazed at these supposedly “intelligent” people who come up with these schemes to raise money… they just don’ have a fucking clue!!!! Real life does not equal their fantasy world!!! You can’t keep taking and taking from people and expect them to just smile and say “please sir, can I have another?”
Strange, too, how those who make these laws, always seem to exempt themselves from those same laws… the camel’s back is at the breaking point, people…
May 28, 2009 at 10:46 am |
Hell, I’m all for a federal sales tax…If, and only if, the federal income tax is eliminated by Constitutional amendment. Otherwise, no deal.