Quoted:
I don't think the national sales tax would be fair. Joe six pack making minimum wage will have to pay the same tax on his can of corn as Bill Gates. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a tax the rich kind of person. What I'm saying is that extremely low income people would need an exempt status of lesser rate. Their income level would be hard to prove at the cash register without some kind of Big Brother constant accounting system. I see a huge opportunity for black market goods with this system. IMHO
I am not an economist, accountant or even a very smart person, but the national sales tax is doomed as long as people can grow food items and barter home made items.
View Quote
Read my post. Joe six pack would not pay tax on food purchased in a grocery store, neither would Bill Gates. The huge black market already exists, just drive through a residential neighborhood on a Saturday morning and take a look at all of the garage sales. The tax system I propose is already in place and is working. Just look at any receipt.
This is America! The land of opportunity! If someone has a better way of making a buck, then great. If Joe six pack wants to earn a better living, he will. And when he does he won't have to give Uncle Sugar a nice fat pay raise unless he wants to. With the current system, a co-worker of mine is taking home less pay this year even though he got a raise. Welcome to the next tax bracket bud, Uncle Sugar sure likes it!
To be honest, I'm tired of paying Joe six packs way. Joe six pack was afforded the same opportunities to fail, achieve, or succeed, that I was. We sat in the same classrooms through school. Joe made C's while I made A's and B's. Joe decided to fix flat tires for Mr Harmon and hang around the little hometown, marry Suzy Rottencrotch, and pump out a dozen kids. I joined the service, furthered my education, expanded my horizons, and moved beyond my comfort zone. Got married to little Mary Rottencrotch, but decided that 2 kids were enough.
20 years later, Joe brings in 24k per year and can barely make ends meet. I bring in 57k per year and I'm comfortable. Why should I be forced to pay more then Joe? We both worked hard, but I worked a little bit smarter and have more income to show for it. Meanwhile that geeky nerd, Bill Gates, that we went to school with, came up with a good idea and kicked the world in the nuts.
Ever wonder why there are so many Joe six packs? It's because most people have convinced themselves they can't do any better. And Uncle Sugar likes it that way.
Folks are already growing their own food, raising their own poultry, beef, pork. And bartering for goods and services. TAX FREE!!
I helped my neighbor with a computer problem and run a network in his house. His wife fixed dinner for my family. A good dinner I might add. The kind you would pay money for. Bartering is alive and well. I'm sure everyone on this board does a bit of it.