LETTER: FairTax is only true reform

To the Telegram:

Tax reform is in the air; it will happen in the next Congress. Why should you worry about the form reform takes?

If it’s more tinkering with the already hyper-manipulated tax code, it will be no reform at all. It will be just more favors for the well-connected, penalties for others and additional headaches for all.

If it’s a value-added tax, we will have a national sales tax in addition to the income tax. We will instantly mirror the European model and very little will be accomplished in the way of deficit reform and debt reduction. Where in Europe do you see debt going down or even stabilizing?

If it’s a flat tax, it’s still based on income, still takes payroll taxes from the working poor, still requires forms to be submitted and is still subject to all the manipulations that exist now. In other words, it’s not really reform at all.

If one or more of the above suit you, relax. Politicians will take over and make deals and you can keep pretending they are working on solutions for you.

Washington Post columnist George Will asked: “Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a tax code that looked like someone designed it on purpose?”

There is one — the FairTax. It’s a national sales tax to replace the income tax. It taxes consumption at a single rate, provides a prebate especially helpful for lower incomes, requires no paperwork, is transparent and is difficult to manipulate or avoid.

It’s time to choose. It’s time to let your congressman know. If you are interested in showing your support, go to Wisconsin FairTax.org and register that support so we can relay it to your congressman.

Bob Martin,

Wisconsin volunteer

state director for

Americans for Fair Taxation

Tags: opinion, letters