Flat Tax – The tides of Change (second in a series)

"Would it not be better to simplify the system of taxation rather than to spread it over such a variety of subjects and pass through so many new hands."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to James Madison, 1784)

“To take from one, because it is thought his own industry... has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who... have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.” —Thomas Jefferson

“The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to the public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. The wise and correct course to follow in taxation is not to destroy those who have already secured success, but to create conditions under which everyone will have a better chance to be successful.” —Calvin Coolidge

THE GIPPER ON TAXES
“Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So we cut the people’s tax rates and the people produced more than ever before.” ++ “Are you entitled to the fruits of your own labor or does government have some presumptive right to spend and spend and spend?” ++ “The federal government has taken too much tax money from the people, too much authority from the states, and too much liberty with the Constitution.” ++ “Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” ++ “Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.” —Ronald Reagan

My first visit here, so please forgive me, but what about the Fair Tax. Seems good to me?

Ditto to davecatbone.. The http://www.FairTax.org is the way to go. Wouldn't you just like to get rid of the IRS completely? Wouldn't you like to get your entire pay check...no deductions out of your pay check. Check it out.

The Flat Tax, the Fair Tax, or just about anything else would be better than the current system. As it is, too many people end up hiring a tax attorney to figure it out for them because NO ONE understands the entire tax code -- NO ONE has even READ the entire thing! That would be a full time job in and of itself.
It seems to me that the Flat Tax would end up being more fair than the "Fair Tax", simply because it would be easier to enforce. But let's at least do SOMETHING to simplify the burden.

As a CPA and one accused of supporting the status quo, I completely agree. Simplify the darned thing. JDW, if I could add a couple of quotes,

from Mr. Winston Churchill...

"We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle"

And from Plato...

"When there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income."

It doesn't appear we've learned anything...