Who is it that can “least afford” the FairTax, and how will they be punished?
Carnahan is steadily polling 42-48%. In the ONE poll with Purgason, he wasn’t that far behind Carnahan, and that was months ago. If Missouri couldn’t pull a “Brown” with Purgason, then we deserve to be led around by the RINO Blunt.
Sales tax-concepts hurt the middle-class and poor the most. Unless you exclude food and clothing (as Massachusetts did in the 1970’s), they will pay a disproportionate cost because food and clothing take a greater percentage out of their disposal income. The rich don’t need to buy things. Furthermore, 75-80% of Missourians live within 20 minutes of another state. So if I planned to buy a product, I would seriously consider buying it in Kansas and avoid the MO sales tax. Same with a house. Why build a house if it is inflated by sales taxes paid on materials? Young people who want to buy cars and houses will have to delay or completely forget acquiring things. If people can’t afford the taxes on a new house, they won’t build one. This doesn’t help the construction worker, the lumber yard owner, painters, and etc. Missouri’s current unemployment rate is 9.6%. Any major change in taxation would influence consumption and, ultimately, employment. Sales tax holidays are big days for retail. Cash for Clunkers was Obama’s most successful idea and the $8000 tax credit for home buyers is a key reason the real estate market is holding as well as it is. If anything, sales taxes should be lowered or eliminated, not become the backbone of an entire taxation system.