Chairman’s Report - July 17, 2015

Donald Trump and the FAIRtax

We are excited that Mike Huckabee is promoting the FAIRtax all across the country.  Donald Trump is leading in some of the polls and many of our supporters, including Lori Klein in Arizona and John Steinberger in South Carolina, have been explaining the FAIRtax to him.  He is not formally an advocate for the FAIRtax but as this clip from MSNBC shows, he is certainly aware of the FAIRtax.   

Trump is a businessman and knows the problems created by our insane income tax system.  He also has no faith in Congress to keep a flat income tax simple and flat.  In Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, we have the opportunity to force the other presidential candidates of both parties to consider the FAIRtax. 

We want all of the presidential candidates to get questions from our supporters such as, “Do you think that the special interests will ever pass a real flat tax?”  And, “How long do you think it will stay flat?” And, “Doesn’t your flat income tax keep the IRS?” And, “How are you going to address income tax evasion?”  And, “Why are you not supporting the elimination of the income tax and the IRS by endorsing the FAIRtax?”

These questions coming from different people over and over will expose the “myth” that all of these flat tax plans really represent change and are not just talking points.   One or more of the presidential candidates, such as Donald Trump, will likely join Governor Huckabee in supporting the FAIRtax.


The Benefits of A Consumption Tax 

Since I have been working on the replacement of the income tax with FAIRtax, one of the biggest problems was convincing people that the income tax system could not be fixed.  Many people in DC and in other areas have long argued that there is no need to make a radical change like the FAIRtax.  
This attitude is changing and dramatically.   This is an excerpt from a July 8, 2015 Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Who Would Have Guessed?  Bipartisanship on Tax Reform.” 
Sens. Ben Cardin (D., Md.) and John Thune (R., S.D.), the co-chairmen of the working group in business income, note on Page 40 of their report to the Finance Committee: “Making a fundamental shift to consumption-oriented taxation is a major change that may not necessarily be undertaken in the near term. However, given the pro-growth effects of consumption taxes, the working group believes that the issues above and consumption-based tax systems in general deserve the attention of the committee as tax reform efforts continue.”
As stated in last week’s report, the bill proposed by Senator Cardin is not the FAIRtax and has elements with which we disagree, but it is designed to make our tax system more consumption based.  When it is agreed that a consumption tax is the answer, we can then have the discussion about which proposal keeps the IRS and which is subject to more evasion.  We can also point out that consumption taxes that are income tax-based have the disadvantage that no one believes that the income tax will stay simple and the rates low.  


Telephonic Briefings

As I pointed out last week, several state directors have recently invited me to join their state conference calls and provide a briefing about our national activities.  As long as we don’t have a conflict at the requested time, Peggy and I are happy to join your state call to provide information and to answer questions.  

If you are interested in having Peggy or me join your state board of directors call, please email Peggy.Green-Ernst@FairTax.org.

AFFT® National LOGO Store New FAIRtax℠ Merchandise

Our FAIRtax store continues to add new promotional items that you may
purchase to show your support for the grassroots FAIRtax movement.
Currently, your Store carries Palm Cards, Lapel Pins, Event Pens, Sunglasses, Koozies, 
Lip Balm, Tote Bags, Embroidered Polo Shirts (long and short sleeve), Embroidered Hats, 
and Umbrellas. We will soon have available Magnetic and Adhesive Bumper Stickers. Remember, we are offering reduced shipping and handling charges on all orders.

It is time to visit your National Store at www.fairtaxlogostore.org and
support our movement – FAIRtax, true tax reform – Simple, Efficient, and Visible.


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