I'd think hard about a temporary (12, 18, or 24 months) national sales tax to fund the redevelopment of the shattered areas of the Gulf.
I'd think hard about a temporary (12, 18, or 24 months) national sales tax to fund the redevelopment of the shattered areas of the Gulf.
Of course when it expires, I'd think hard about keeping it to fund health care.
How much would a half-cent or penny per dollar sales tax generate? I'd exempt staples and basics (but not prepared foods), and prescription drugs, and I'd include services and the labor components of most bills.
Sales taxes are painless to pay, easy to administer.
Okay. I have my armor on. I know the argument that sales taxes are regressive, making the poor pay a higher percentage of their income than the more well-to-do, but we're also in both a social and financial crisis.
If you wanted to make it somewhat progressive, you could exempt more things and tax items at different rates -- maybe a half-penny for most things but two pennies for items classified as luxury items. After all, should a Geo be taxed at the same rate as a Lexus?
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO