Supposition
“It will get raised. You cannot deny it. And we will have a NATIONAL SALES TAX on top of it because of Herman Cain.”
Within 10 years we will have a VAT on top of the existing tax structure, unless there is a major reform to the tax code. While the specifics of Mr. Cain’s simplification plan can certainly be debated, I applaud him for forcefully being an advocate for a complete overhaul of the tax code as well as speaking to specifics.
The Democrats adoption of Obamacare should have taught the Republicans to stop tinkering around the edges of the existing system. Be bold and relentless if you want change. Reagan understood this and in his time was successful in getting an overhaul and simplification of the tax system.
With the exception of Cain I see the rest of the Republican field as professional politicians content to work with the existing system. Each will tinker with the system differently but in the end their efforts will be watered down by the Congressional power structure and the bureaucracy, not to mention the legions of lobbyists who will silently work over individual congresscritters. The only way to effect change in Washington is big bold programs the public can understand driven by a President who will take the message directly to the people and will endure whatever onslaught the opposition throws at him/her.
In the modern world it seems each President has a shot at getting on big idea through the maze of Congress and the bureaucracy. Reagan achieved tax code changes. Bush 41 got nothing because he squandered his good will raising taxes plus he was distracted by the Gulf War. Clinton got a tax increase and tried but failed to get health care. Bush 43 got “no child left behind” but failed with Social Security reform. Obama got his health care plan passed plus TARP. Now Obama is reduced to tinkering as the forces of opposition are organized.
In looking at the Republican field I know Cain is geared up to fight for major tax reform. I don’t have a clear picture of what one thing any of the others might fight for and be able to accomplish in that critical first year in office. Unfortunately the majority of American people today are not well educated and are not passionate about the fight between individual liberty and socialist slavery. They are capable of grasping and supporting one big idea. It may be the lack of enthusiasm for the Republican field is the absence of a big idea from each of the other candidates.
To sum it up, we are looking for leaders and most of the field appears to be administrators.