December 14, 2007

Destroying the IRS

I have a question for all the hardcore Ron Paulers out there. NPR has been providing a lot of coverage on Huckabee since his recent up rise in popularity. They were specifically addressing his plan to completely dismantle income tax by increasing sales tax to 23%. Basically taxing what we buy instead of what we make. This sounds appealing to someone like me who does spend a lot, even though I know there has to be a catch somewhere in there. Anyway, it sounded to me a lot like something Ron Paul would do, and I am wondering how RP might look at this specific plan raised by Huckabee (would he agree with him, would he do something completely different, would he call Huckabee a moron and challenge him to a duel to the death using nothing but sporks)?
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5 comments:

  1. Joshua ButcherDecember 14, 2007 at 3:49 PM

    For your consideration:

    http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=658
    http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=456
    http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=482

    As far as I can tell, Ron Paul would argue that a fair tax or national sales tax is meaningless unless two things happen:

    1. The 16th Amendment is repealed thereby making it once again unConstitutional for the Government to tax income.

    2. Government severely reduces its spending budget by eliminating needless offices, programs, and other excessive and unnecessary expenditures.

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  2. Jacob HaynesDecember 16, 2007 at 7:51 PM

    Thanks Josh,

    I kinda figured the second one, but how does the first one work. Just because it is constitutional doesn't necessarily mean we have to have an income tax or does it?

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  3. ninepoundhammerDecember 17, 2007 at 8:39 AM

    The text of the 16th Amendment reads thus:

    'The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.'

    So, Congress is not obligated to enforce the income tax, but let's face it, if government has the power to do something, it usually will.

    Taking that power from them completely is the best course of action.

    The main point is, as Joshua pointed out, cutting the bloated budget to begin with. There are many things that should be done at the local level (which would be more efficient anyway) and many 'entitlements' that should be eradicated.

    Oh, yeah--renouncing an imperial foreign policy would help save a bunch of money, too. (The ancient Romans could tell us a thing or two about that.)

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  4. Jacob HaynesDecember 17, 2007 at 9:28 AM

    Thanks Matt,

    While we’re on the subject, I was wondering how Ron Paul means to make the transition between the current state of affairs and his ideal federal government. Will he just start dismantling the bureaucracy the moment he is in office or does he have a more gradual solution? This is important to me because while I agree with Paul’s ultimate vision, I don’t think that we can get there overnight with out a great instability in our government and economy. I feel the same way about Huckabee’s tax thing. I haven’t decided whether the outcome is better than status quo but I definitely wouldn’t want him to make an abrupt change to a large portion of our government.

    (I should be researching this stuff myself but I figured I probably learn more talking with you guys)

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  5. ninepoundhammerDecember 18, 2007 at 9:53 AM

    I saw an interview Dr Paul did in New Hampshire that was posted on You Tube (sorry I don't have the link) in which he stated emphatically that his goals could not--and should not--be done overnight. Rather, they would be phased in over time to reach the ultimate goal with as little pain as possible--though there will be pain because (as in the case of abolishing the IRS) thousands of government bureaucrats would lose their jobs.

    As it regards Social Security, he would not penalise those who have paid into it all their lives but he would allow the young to opt out of the system and invest their money as they choose. (At the current rate, there would be nothing in the S.S. Trust Fund for them anyway.)

    Add to that that he would not have dictatorial powers and would need the assistance of Congress in many (but not all) of his agenda items.

    It won't be easy--but it is a start!

    A central clearing house for his positions and policies is available at the Ron Paul Library: (http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/index.php).

    I hope this helps!

    Go, Ron, Go!!

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