(or Shell Game Passes For Tough Love)
New York Times - Huckabee proposes his idea of a “fair tax” as Chuck Norris looks on admiringly. See http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/us/politics/15campaign.html
Big Politician Guy: Listen, I’m going to give it to you straight. This federal income tax system is dumb. It’s your hard earned money. You have a right to spend it the way you see fit. You know how to spend it better then the government. Forget about federal income tax and use your money to be happy..…… Actually, the government will need some money… Of course we’re not going to tax the people… Oh wait, I know… We’ll just impose a spending tax. That sounds fair. We’ll have a national sales tax on gas and clothing and food and stuff like that. . But why should you worry? You can afford a few extra cents with all those 1000’s of dollars you’re saving from not having to pay income tax.
Local Politician Guy: Since the taxes were cut the Federal government doesn’t have any money to give to supplement state programs so we’re going to have to increase your property taxes and also add a few more cents to the tax on goods. But why should you worry? You can afford a few extra cents with all those 1000’s of dollars you’re saving from not having to pay income tax.
Local Doctor or Pharmacist : The government is cutting back on Medicare and drug programs, so you’re going have to pay for your own drugs and treatment. But why should you worry? You can afford it with all those 1000’s of dollars you’re saving from not having to pay income tax.
Big Politician Guy: What! You need some help? Why turn to the government? The government is not a charity. . Don’t expect the government to bail you out… What?… Well, sure… the government created the New Deal to help people in the depression….. And that’s right, after WW II there was the GI Bill where the government helped millions of GI’s go to college and get an education. And sure the government bailed out a lot of corporations. And what if the government gave amnesty to a bunch of illegal immigrants back in the 80’s. What does all that got to do with you? Listen, times have changed. Your better than that. We believe in you. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Keep your eye on the ball. Put your nose to the grind stone. Study hard. Then move to China and get a good job there.
Srila Prabhupada (from Light Of The Bhagavat text 2): The welfare state imposes upon its citizens scorching taxes… in due course of time when the taxes accumulate into a large sum of money, they are utilized for the welfare of the citizens in various ways. Nevertheless, sometimes it happens that the benefits of the taxes fall like rains on the stone-hearted men in the state who are unable to utilize the money properly and who squander it for sense gratification….Thus, to have equal distribution of state raised taxes, the citizens need to be scrupulously honest and virtuous… if the people are not good they cannot have good government, regardless of which party governs the administration. Therefore good character is the first principle necessary for a good government and equal distribution of wealth.
