The folly of the independent voter

[Partial]

Fair Tax is an excellent idea. You don't pay a lot simply because you make a lot, you pay a lot if you live a baller lifestyle. If you're out buying new cars every year and wasting money, then you pay the piper. If you're a wealthy, thrifty person like most of the upper middle class people are, you pay very little in taxes when you don't spend your cash.

I would like fair tax since I am big on used merchandise. However, it will change the way people shop. Wal-mart won't be nearly as crowded.

[Joemailman]

I see the Fair Tax as another screwing of the middle class. These are the people who have to spend the highest percentage of their income just to put food on the table and clothes on their kids. I don't know all the details of Huckabee's plan, but I'm skeptical.

[Partial]

Food isn't taxed. Clothes are. But, if you buy affordable clothing and live within your means than it isn't that expensive on a 10 dollar shirt.

[The Leaper]

I see the Fair Tax as another screwing of the middle class. These are the people who have to spend the highest percentage of their income just to put food on the table and clothes on their kids. I don't know all the details of Huckabee's plan, but I'm skeptical.

I agree. I hate sales taxes...anyone who makes under 30,000 a year shouldn't have to pay a dime in taxes to the US government considering the vast corporate wealth in this nation. Make the corporations pay their fair share...and force them to keep workers in this country to receive any kind of tax breaks.

The only individual tax that makes sense to me is a graduated flat tax with limited deduction capacities and loopholes.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Re: The folly of the independent voter

I don't mind Social Security at all....it's a rather small portion of the "taxes" I pay out overall.

You really should mind Social Security, it is the single greatest screw job against lower and middle class people. Social Security taxes are capped at 75K (or some such figure.) Meaning people making more than 75K pay a smaller rate as they earn more.

And the real killer: SS taxes only apply to labor! If you earn your money through investment, you pay ZERO SS taxes.

And BTW, "tax" is theoretically the wrong term. It is supposed to be like paying a premium for an insurance policy, which is the justification for capping it for rich folk. But in reality, the SS moneys collected goes immediately towards the purchase of treasury bills - which makes it effectively identical to a tax! The SS money acts as an EXTREMELY regressive tax that keeps progressive income taxes artificially low.

I'm telling you, unless you're making a lot of money, or earning your money through investment, you are getting f-u-c-k-e-d.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I see the Fair Tax as another screwing of the middle class. These are the people who have to spend the highest percentage of their income just to put food on the table and clothes on their kids. I don't know all the details of Huckabee's plan, but I'm skeptical.

You're right to be skeptical. On the face of it, it's not a good deal for the lower and middle classes.

But I am still intrigued. The devil is in the details, there are ways to recompensate people at the bottom end. I'm open minded, it could be fairer than the income tax. Europe works well with a similar system.

[Freak Out]

Re: The folly of the independent voter

I don't mind Social Security at all....it's a rather small portion of the "taxes" I pay out overall.

You really should mind Social Security, it is the single greatest screw job against lower and middle class people. Social Security taxes are capped at 75K (or some such figure.) Meaning people making more than 75K pay a smaller rate as they earn more.

And the real killer: SS taxes only apply to labor! If you earn your money through investment, you pay ZERO SS taxes.

And BTW, "tax" is theoretically the wrong term. It is supposed to be like paying a premium for an insurance policy, which is the justification for capping it for rich folk. But in reality, the SS moneys collected goes immediately towards the purchase of treasury bills - which makes it effectively identical to a tax! The SS money acts as an EXTREMELY regressive tax that keeps progressive income taxes artificially low.

I'm telling you, unless you're making a lot of money, or earning your money through investment, you are getting f-u-c-k-e-d.

I didn't say that some type of reform was not needed...I just like the thought that it is going to help many Americans that are not saving at all right now. It is going to mean very little to me in my retirement years....at least I am hoping so.

[Harlan Huckleby]

freaky, I'm not being critical of the Social Security system. It just should be funded out of the general treasury, instead of the current shell game where only the working people pay.

[Freak Out]

freaky, I'm not being critical of the Social Security system. It just should be funded out of the general treasury, instead of the current shell game where only the working people pay.

The entire system fucks the working class as it stands now. We need to march on the castle with our torches and pitchforks.....wait a second..I'm not working class. But I was so count me in.

[Joemailman]

I see the Fair Tax as another screwing of the middle class. These are the people who have to spend the highest percentage of their income just to put food on the table and clothes on their kids. I don't know all the details of Huckabee's plan, but I'm skeptical.

You're right to be skeptical. On the face of it, it's not a good deal for the lower and middle classes.

But I am still intrigued. The devil is in the details, there are ways to recompensate people at the bottom end. I'm open minded, it could be fairer than the income tax. Europe works well with a similar system.

Actually, I think I heard Huckabee say there would be a rebate for low income people. He didn't say exactly how low. It's the effect on the middle class I would worry about. I applaud him for being willing to suggest something as bold as this. I wonder if it could cost him though. Makes him an easy target for opponents who could try to misrepresent what the effect of the tax would be.