Voices: Fair tax plan

April 29, 2006 02:23 am

— Thank you for your insightful editorial about the Fair Tax (Globe, April 25). I’d like to share with you why I support the Fair Tax.
America is ripe for radical change in our unjust tax system and the Fair Tax is the right way to meet that need. The Fair Tax is right for America because it promotes freedom by allowing each individual to determine how much he or she wants to pay in taxes based on their own spending choices.
It treats all Americans equally by exempting everyone, rich and poor alike, from paying taxes on the basic necessities of life. The Fair Tax is right for America by making the actual tax burden transparent, preventing taxes from being hidden in the price of products or services.
The Fair Tax is right for America because it promotes the only legitimate purpose of taxation by paying with the purchase of every item for the government’s services that facilitated and protected the delivery and sale of that item.
The Fair Tax is right for America because it more easily prevents tax evasion by ensuring the accuracy of fewer sales tax filings by retailers than the IRS currently does with income filings by businesses and individuals. The Fair Tax is right for America because it discourages political corruption by preventing tax favors extended to lobbyists and special interest groups.
However, the Fair Tax will never become reality unless we, the people of America, demand it. The Fair Tax requires politicians to relinquish control over our lives, and that is not something they will willingly do.
Furthermore, it runs counter to the current socialist and entitlement mentality actively promoted throughout our nation. In spite of this opposition, we should support the Fair Tax if we want to be a more free and prosperous nation.
Kent Lightner
Lamar