I recently wrote about the use of the word “fair” and how it should be utterly banished, ditched, and stricken from our discussions of taxation. Our nation wasn’t founded and built upon “fair”. It was all about “equal”. There’s no way in our founding principles or our subsequent history where it’s somehow fine, right and just to assess some people a higher rate of taxation than others, in order to receive the very same benefits as citizens, or in many instances, to receive fewer benefits, than another citizen who is taxed at a lower rate – or not taxed at all. Yet, there it is. But watch this: the only thing which breathes life into this uneven, punitive and devious tax code which presently exists is our acceptance of the term “fair”.
Let's Change How We Think
We must stop accepting the term “fair” in our political thought or in our daily usage of English if we expect to level this playing field and tax everyone according to their net income with the exact same rate, no deductions, no rebates, no “presidential campaign” check box on the one-page return (which can be used to support a candidate you would never vote for!) There should never be a discussion of “his” fair share or “their” fair share. A citizen under the law, is a citizen. End of story. As a citizen, that individual should pay a tax to support the government which provides its services for him/her. Everyone “shares” those things so a citizen’s tax rate should be exactly the same as any other citizen’s tax rate. Period. As soon as someone talks about another’s “fair share”, you know we’re talking about subjecting that individual to uneven treatment and persecution under the law. Our constitution recognizes no “classes”. That was by intent. Only individuals are recognized there.
There are a lot of tax plans out there, some which use the word “fair” in the very title. Some are called “bipartisan”, which, to me means “this is Democrat legislation that the GOP has caved in on – there’s something buried in the details of this which will make some people “special”” and boost Democrat power". With those kinds of deals, we’ll just end up in the same sort of situation we are in at present. As for abolishing the IRS… what? The name “Internal Revenue Service”? Is that what will be abolished? Let’s get real. Someone has to collect the taxes, monitor the collection status and ensure compliance with our tax laws. We are certainly good conservatives, but I don’t think that we’re anarchists. We do need a government and it needs money. I don’t believe that there will be any abolition of the IRS, as such.
No Collection of Taxes By Businesses
Nor do I believe that we should put the onus of tax collection upon private businesses. It should not be their job to be accountable to the federal government for what they sell and how much of it they sell and collect. Talk about a compliance nightmare… They are at present liable for their income taxes, yes, but collecting them for our government takes that to an entirely different level. One of the main difficulties we face now, as a nation, is the growing and unholy alliance of big businesses and our government through and because of “regulation”. This would only strengthen and further legitimize that bond by giving our federal government yet another entrée into the internal operations of our nation’s commercial enterprises and oversight of their activities. It’s a trap. Speaking of that, I’m somewhat inclined to wonder if some of the competing ideas for tax reform aren’t really just shills, the aim of which is to split agreement on a change and thus prevent or seriously delay meaningful reform. We have to be careful and pay attention, especially to schemes which are overly complicated (too many wild cards) or which look to be similar to what we currently have. The flat tax makes the most sense to me, especially that put forward by Steve Forbes. With this scheme, all Americans are in direct communication with their government and see first-hand what money they send to Washington. It’s not buried in the price of something nor processed through an intermediary. This will likely help Americans to do what must be done in a participatory democracy and that’s keep their eye on their government. However, any change where all 11,000 plus pages of IRS tax code are flushed down the toilet and the tax levy percentage becomes the same for all citizens without loopholes, based on their income, will be an improvement. The simpler it is, the less expensive it will be to manage and the more difficult it will become to scam the system. And never forget, it’s not about “fair”.
J.S. Dover
June 2012
Views: 887
Tags: Conservative, Democrat, GOP, Republican, equality, law, persecution, shills, taxation, the, More…
Comment
Comment by Neil Thomas Goeckerman on June 17, 2012 at 2:17pm How about a sales tax? Yes we incorporate businesses as the collections and transfer but so are we with an income tax. The business that pays you is the surrogate. And I am so sad when I hear or read a conservative who has lost his common sense and can't see the abolition of a federal agency. I call this Ostrichitis
Comment by Gail Cohen on June 16, 2012 at 8:24pm Since it is hard to invest and make a lot of money unless you have good nerves - having a Social Security withdrawal tax as we do could still be in place BUT ALL the money collected goes to Social Security and Medicare - also it should not go to every Tom, Dick and Harry that says they are disabled etc - is mainly for those who need to retire for age or true physical problems - more oversight - the sales tax (which I prefer) should go for everything else - and there should be limits on how high these taxes can go - it would be better to have these things only on a state by state level with the people of each state deciding what is proper - but right now that is not feasable due to the fact we have to wean people off governement - but not taxing property and income from any source would send the economy soaring - and no one would experience any hardship..
Comment by John Garvin on June 16, 2012 at 3:47pm 
Comment by Rich Knoch on June 16, 2012 at 12:30pm Billy . . . . A downside to the various versions of a Flat Tax (I've seen) is it still instantiates the IRS, doing what they do best; i.e., hassling taxpayers about reported income, documenting deductions, playing with loopholes, evading taxes and driving industry offshore . . . .selling of loopholes keeps corrupt politicians in office.
The FAIR TAX eliminates the need for the IRS (while at it, lets also OFF the constantly failed - - - Departments of Education, Energy, EPA . . . so they know Taxpayers are serious about change☺
Comment by Billy Bowlegs on June 16, 2012 at 11:41am In addition to a Flat Tax, we need to demand that the Federal Government restore every penny removed from the Social Security Fund over the same length of time that it was removed. (E.g., took 40 years to take it out and bankrupt it - must be restored in 40 Years or less).
In the Flat Tax Law, all IRS functions must be shut down.
In the Flat Tax law, a balanced budget is required at all times.
In the Flat Tax Law, if Congress does not pass a balanced budget, congress is recalled.
In the Flat Tax law, if the President does not stay within the budget amount, the President is Recalled immediately. (and the VP).
Many more "In the Flat Tax law, ('we needs' to be added)
Comment by Rich Knoch on June 16, 2012 at 9:29am JPS . . . . I think Herman introduced the 9-9-9 Tax Plan because many Americans could not understand the FAIR TAX (he intended the 9-9-9 as a transition to the FAIR TAX) simply because it was too simple and straight-forward! Taxpayers have been beat down by the highly convoluted current tax abortion . . . . they simply couldn't believe it would work - - the bill H.R. 25 is only 145 pages and readable by anyone.
The FAIR TAX would close 100% of the loopholes that have been purchased by individuals and corporations where the Flat Tax will keep most all of these unfair tweaks, alive and well and the IRS happy with enforcement.
American Taxpayers who prefer the Flat Tax should know they will still be employing the IRS to enforce it, where the FAIR TAX would eliminate the IRS and a few remaining agents could be tasked with auditing (financially and operationally) the few remaining government departments - - a true Internal Revenue Service to benefit America!
Comment by Mindy on June 16, 2012 at 12:25am A flat is the only true fair tax there is. All this garbage of adding more sales taxes, value added taxes, etc...is just so much hogwash and another way to gouge everyone not rich enough to qualify for their "special" exemtions. A flat tax of 10-20% on all income over $10,000 would work wonders. As for the often said "the system" was meant to limit government, not finance it, I say somewhat true. However, if you have a government, even a limited one, there are expenses incurred and that isn't even taking into account the military that defends us, what about upkeep and immanence on the congressional building and the White House? Those are not cheap, nor are they free. No matter how small, governments require money to run. The best thing to do is to keep government confined (limited to the scope allocated in the Constitution) and force it to operate within limits (a budget). Another thing is we must again make the law apply to the congress and the president as it was originally intended to do! They must live under any law they make, period, no exceptions.(but of course, that is a different subject altogether).
Comment by Ronald Sorrells on June 15, 2012 at 9:07pm 
Comment by Sande on June 15, 2012 at 6:54pm When I think of "fair" tax I think of the Old Soviet or German system where some where more "fair" than others. Flat tax is should be. Flat for everyone and everything, no loop holes of any kind or character. Just a flat percent like 12% for EVERYONE, every business and person, including those in the White House and Congress.
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