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"I suppose I always knew America would eventually break the planet, like some ghastly, hyperactive toddler that gets hold of a mobile phone and then smashes it repeatedly against the edge of a table". Quote from british journalist.

"Does your consumtion tax include housing, would it turn people into non-spenders, how would that affect the economy?"

Hmmm ... by housing, do you mean a federal sales tax on a house when you buy it? If so, I don't believe there would be a federal tax when you buy a house, food, clothing or medicine. Not on the essensials, Med.

People would still spend money. A wealthy person would buy a Mercedes, for example, and a person of more modest means would by a Ugo.

One of the major benefits would be that the tax would be competely up front and not hidden. For example, a loaf of bread has something like 127 hidden taxes in it by the time it reaches the consumer.

Just one tax is all that's necessary, Med. Look how simple it would be: When you pump gas into your car, you are paying local, state and federal sales taxes, right? Once the tank is full, you replace the nozzle and drive off. No forms to fill out, no worries about audits, no fines, no levies, no confiscation of propety either.

A consumption (excise) tax is the tax of free men. A tax on income (labor) is the tax of slaves.

Vi

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Damned right I'm an equal opportunity offender, I'm a Conservative!

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"I suppose I always knew America would eventually break the planet, like some ghastly, hyperactive toddler that gets hold of a mobile phone and then smashes it repeatedly against the edge of a table". Quote from british journalist.

Well, first of all, a consumption tax would be progressive in most cases. For example if a person buys a $250,000 Ferrari, and the federal tax is 26%, he would pay $65,000 in federal tax. If another person bought a new Ford sedan for $22,000, then that person would pay $5720. in federal tax. Your suggesstion of charging the purchaser a 100% tax just because he/she buys a more expensive car is nothing more then an envy tax. You ARE for equality under the law, aren't you?

The tax WOULD be sufficient to run the government, Med. Just sock it to us one time, with one up-front tax where it can be seen by all. If Americans deem the tax to be way too onerous, then perhaps we have way too much government.

Vi

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Damned right I'm an equal opportunity offender, I'm a Conservative!

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"I suppose I always knew America would eventually break the planet, like some ghastly, hyperactive toddler that gets hold of a mobile phone and then smashes it repeatedly against the edge of a table". Quote from british journalist.

Why would they stop spending? I mean, what's the point of making money if not to spend it and/or invest it? I agree that people would consider the tax before they bought ... and that's one of the major points; to get people to at least CONSIDER the tax. Now then, if spending really did slow down as you suggest, all government has to do is just raise the tax some more. Well, that's what the liberals would suggest. In reality, to increase governemnt revenues, the tax should be lowered to encourage more spending. Hmmm ... where have we heard that debate before? *lol*

Vi

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Damned right I'm an equal opportunity offender, I'm a Conservative!

this is ridiculous, how low can you go. Zero tax is your goal. A country or society can not operate without revenue, so you're proposing Anarchy. I hope you've got lots of guns and a bullet proof car and a few bodyguards, because the masses are coming for your money..... when the government stops operating for lack of funds, It won't be the poor people that will be stressed out, they already know what it's like, but the rich bastards will have no police protection, it's bye-bye Vi!

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"I suppose I always knew America would eventually break the planet, like some ghastly, hyperactive toddler that gets hold of a mobile phone and then smashes it repeatedly against the edge of a table". Quote from british journalist.

OK, now point out where I've ever said, in any of my posts, that I want a zero tax, or where I'm proposing anarchy. Search as you might ... you will never find it.

And by the way ... police, firemen, mayors and housing inspectors are all funded at the local level.

Vi

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Damned right I'm an equal opportunity offender, I'm a Conservative!

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"I suppose I always knew America would eventually break the planet, like some ghastly, hyperactive toddler that gets hold of a mobile phone and then smashes it repeatedly against the edge of a table". Quote from british journalist.

My tax plan WON'T do any of that Med ... and "Tax Plans" should NEVER be intended for such use. You want to create Eden from money taken from "A" by giving it to "B." The only society that would create is one where everyone is subserviant to the state. Your plan certainly wouldn't "Insure domestic tranquility." Your plan would do nothing but pit one class against another. No thanks!

Vi

PS: And there you go again with the PROVIDE for the general welfare thingie. Sheesh!

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Damned right I'm an equal opportunity offender, I'm a Conservative!