Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Plan and Opportunity Zones: An Examination

Ccwman On Fire ^ | October 25, 2011 | CCWMAN

[ccwman]

Herman Cain’s economic plan, of late, has come under attack by conservatives and progressives alike. In the debates Mr. Cain responds to his critics as comparing apples and oranges when attempting to explain his plan. What does he mean by the term “apples and oranges”? How exactly would this plan work?

[GeronL]

If “opportunity zones” are good for distressed cities, then make them national and permanent.

[ccwman]

They are national. Anyone who wants to become an opportunity zone can. Opportunity Zones are not determined by government but by the community. Cain even says in his press release the entire nation can become an opportunity zone. Check out the blog analysis to this point.

[GeronL]

Oh please. He wants states and cities begging the feds new bureaucracy for the designation annually. I like federalism myself.

[GeronL]

Please Mr President, call us a zone, here’s a nice donation, please relax federal regulations on us so we can steal jobs from that other county over there! Sure, sure, we know how many strings are attached.

[ccwman]

Its different than an empowerment zone with its federal subsidies, government bureaucracy, etc. I guess you haven’t read my examination. To each his own I guess. Thank you for the exchange and for your thoughts on the matter.

[Gunslingr3]

Income taxes don’t have to be uniform per the language of the 16th amendment, but indirect taxes (excise taxes like a sales tax) must be uniform in application per Article I, Section 8.

I haven’t seen clarification as to whether the ‘empowerment zones’ would impact only the corporate and individual income taxes, but they would have to in order to pass constitutional muster.

[ccwman]

Thank you for your comments. With relation to income taxes, those inside the “opportunity zone” would not have to pay income taxes. As Mr. Cain states in his press release, the entire country can become an opportunity zone. That is my understanding from what Mr. Cain has provided on his website.

My article is not a full critique but an exercise by me to attempt to connect 9-9-9 with opportunity zones with what he’s provided so far. I’ll pursue your line of inquiry as I get the time. Thanks again for taking a look.

[LADY J]

It appears that not everyone read the 9-9-9 analysis - or maybe it's like talking to a 'brick wall' if they have!

Instead of snide remarks & attempts at childish humor - how about a discussion from those about what they find as a problem to the plan - if in fact, they even understood what they read.

[Utmost Certainty]

Ahh. Thanks for posting that analysis.

Citizens, then, are empowered to eliminate bureaucratic policies that get in the way of job creation. His policy proposes elimination of the minimum wage; the elimination of union derived prevailing wage rates, and the creation of school vouchers, among other things. Understand, these are not mandated, but are requirements to be part of an opportunity zone. A community could continue to do business as usual but miss the important job growth elements of his plan and remain uncompetitive to those communities around them, and not make the changes being asked, its their choice.

All in all, the idea of these OZs is actually quite brilliant and paves the way for phase #2 of 999 which abolishes income taxes entirely. And reform the culture back towards one of self-sufficiency and local governance, rather than one based on Federal dependency.

[humblegunner]

(Excerpt) Read more at ccwmanonfire.blogspot.com ...

Why excerpt your own writing?

Looking for a few blog hits perhaps?

[TBP]

Maybe we can also revive Urban Homesteading.

[ccwman]

I posted my thoughts about Cain’s plan and thought I’d share it. Those who want to read it can read it on my blog rather than me tying up bandwidth.