[Mr. Mojo]

They are talking more and more often on Foxnews of getting rid of the IRS in a positive way. It is no longer considered a joke to publicly talk about this.

Talk of the U.S. pulling out of the UN is far more acceptable in many circles than it used to be as well. Alas, neither will happen anytime soon, imo.

I'd prefer a flat tax at a fair (5%) rate than the fair tax, but either would be fine with me. I'd be ecstatic, in fact.

Abolition of the estate "death" tax is long overdue as well.

[Prime Choice]

I'd prefer a flat tax at a fair (5%) rate than the fair tax

Ditto. The last thing this nation needs is another regressive tax system. It will only serve to penalize none but the dwindling middle class and creates no incentives save for the creation of a burgeoning black market. And what's worse, when (not if) the tax revenues drop due to the black market, the states and fed will create new hidden taxes (AKA "fees") to recoup their revenue losses.

And when their tax revenue losses become big enough, the "fair tax" (sic) bill permits intrusion into our lives to make sure we're buying merchandise from approved sellers.

Under the misnamed "fair tax," the menacing phrase, "Papers, please" will be replaced by "Receipt, please."

Naturally, the "fair tax" crowd will deny this...and it's understandable since none of them have bothered to read the bill.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Talk of the U.S. pulling out of the UN is far more acceptable in many circles than it used to be as well.

Actually, Fairtax/HR-25 has close to 60 Congressmen supporting/co-signing it right now and it is not even put up to a vote yet. There is also a lot of support for it in the Senate and the White House.

Alas, neither will happen anytime soon, imo.

It seems the Republicans has finally had it with the Democrats, so that increases the chances as well.

I'd prefer a flat tax at a fair (5%) rate than the fair tax, but either would be fine with me. I'd be ecstatic, in fact.

Income Tax was original a flat tax. A Flat Tax would keep the IRS in place, where Fairtax would get rid of it.

Abolition of the estate "death" tax is long overdue as well.

Actually the estate tax is being fazed out over the next couple of years, we just need to make that taxcut permanent, which the Republicans have been trying to do for the past two years.

[Doe Eyes]

I'd prefer a flat tax at a fair (5%) rate than the fair tax, but either would be fine with me.

I'd prefer 1%.

[frannie]

The figure the use for a "flat tax" is 17%, not 5%.

The fair tax has an element in it that I didn't see discussed by any of the post or replies.

The underground economy is huge. Many people work for cash, many who do illegal business pay no income tax bu do spend it. Even the young drug runners have these huge gold chains and expensive jackets and "shoes". If they spend their ill gotten gains they would, for once, be paying taxes to the FEDERAL government.

I have no idea how much the underground economy would contribute to the economy but it would be more than it is now.

Just think about it.

[Seamoth]

Talk of tax reform is almost useless unless we have massive cuts in spending. :-\