advertisement

The world-famous Internet site of the Nationally Syndicated Neal Boortz Show!

Search Boortz.com
Enter search terms:
Browse Boortz.com
Today's Nuze

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

Nobody's listening.

SO WHY CAN'T THE REPUBLICANS GET VOTES?

By
Neal Boortz
@ June 16, 2009 8:16 AM Permalink | Comments (101) | TrackBacks (0)

A recent Gallup polls shows that 40% of Americans describe themselves as conservative. Only 21% of Americans call themselves liberal and 35% consider themselves moderate.

Clearly all of these conservatives don't consider themselves to be Republicans. Many of them are round in the ranks of or in sympathy with the Libertarians. A lot of them even vote Democrat. Conservative doesn't always equate to Republican. There are a lot of conservatives, for instance, who do not feel that it is the government's role to control a woman's reproductive life. Many of them won't vote Republican until the party starts to concentrate more on governance than it does on people's personal lives.

Fact is, the Republican party is out of fresh and new ideas, and it is ignoring the good old ones. Where are the Republicans who are standing up with anything more than a whimper for free enterprise?

OK .. you know where I'm going. I'm completely convinced that if the Republican party would put its full support behind the FairTax, and pledge to pass it as soon as they have control of the House and the Senate, it would turn next year's midterm election on its ear. The FairTax would become the issue. Sure, the Democrats would demagogue it, but as more and more Americans learned the truth their demagoguery would serve to hurt their cause, not help it. The formula here is so simple. Would you rather pay the government 33% of everything you earn, or 23% of everything you spend. What do you think of the idea of nobody paying any taxes at all to the federal government until they have provided for the basic necessities for their family? Now think about that one. Should the government have a claim on one single penny of the money you earn --- or, to state it differently --- should the government have any claim on one single minute of your life before you've taken care of your own family's basic needs? Unless I miss my guess, most Americans would answer "no" to those questions. Can't you see the Republicans running on a campaign of "Not one penny for the government until your family is taken care of." Well, that's the FairTax.

Why won't the Republicans get behind this? The FairTax is the most thoroughly studied and researched piece of legislation ever to have been placed before the Congress of the United States. Still, the Republicans don't believe that they can stand up to Democrat demagoguery. They have no confidence in the voters. They think that the voters will respond to simplistic and sophomoric ideas like calling the Democrat Party the "Socialist Democrat Party." Yeah ... that's showing 'em. But when it comes to supporting and promoting legislation that would bring about the largest transfer of power from the government to the people in our history .... The Republicans shy away.

There are trillions of dollars ... perhaps as much as $13 trillion ... in American dollar-denominated deposits working in overseas economies. Those dollars belong to Americans and American corporations. Stimulus? You want stimulus? What if that money came flowing back home to work in our economy? Can you imagine the stimulus to our economy that would result from just one-half of this money coming back home? This money would be spent by the people who earned it and own it, not by the government. The spending decisions would be privately made, not made in Washington's dark chambers. Obama's idea? Pass laws that tax these overseas earnings right here at home. Construct an economic Berlin Wall. If you see a dollar trying to escape our tax system, shoot it down without remorse. The FairTax plan? The FairTax play that could be the Republican plan? Tell the people who hold this wealth to bring it home with absolutely no federal tax consequences whatsoever. No taxes, no interest on taxes, no penalties .. nothing. Bring it home and put it to work in America and for Americans. But ... have you heard one single Republican present these different approaches to the American people?

How can the Democrats frighten the Republicans so much on this plan? The Democrats would argue for withholding money from your paycheck before you even see it. The Republicans could argue for presenting you with 100% of your paycheck every payday. The Democrats could argue for taxing everything that moves. The Republicans could argue for businesses operating in the US with no tax component on capital or labor. The Republicans aren't willing to take on this argument?

How sad it must be to have the hearts and minds of the plurality of the American people, but be unable to translate that into actual support. How on Earth do we have Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid running the show? Again, I said there were two reasons. The first being that the Republican Party has nothing going for itself. The second is because the American people have been conned ... at least in the presidential election ... into voting for a man who promised them "hope" and "change."

Elections have consequences. Are you starting to figure that out yet?

Categories:

Tags:

Main Index | Archives | RSS feed

0 TrackBacks

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: SO WHY CAN'T THE REPUBLICANS GET VOTES?.

TrackBack URL for this entry: http://boortz.com/blogging/mt-tb.cgi/34036

Jamie Dupree's Blog

If you enjoy Neal's daily chat with Jamie Dupree, you'll love Jamie's Blog! Check it out for analysis of the campaigns and goings on in Washington D.C.

Cristina Gonzalez and Laura Nunemaker assist in the daily preparation of Nealz Nuze!

Avg. rating: N/A

What others are saying

  • fairtax follies..
    so what is the seeker saying..?the reason the government will never recognize the fairtax is because minoritys will never be able to fend for themselves..grow veggies..grow live stock..make renewable energy...I for one am a minority and can do quite well without the government thank you..
    By obamas slave.. @ 06/25/09 10:36:26 PMreport abuse
  • fairtax yes...
    truthseeker reminds me of somebody i once saw on tv. it was a star trek special and the guy was hanging out with the cling ons around the planet uranus display.eventually they got tired of the guy and just beemed him up.
    By Steve...B @ 06/23/09 05:33:14 PMreport abuse
  • Lee
    "Prove it without quoting the Bible."

    That's like telling someone to prove something is unconstitutional without quoting the Constitution. As if.
    By Reason @ 06/17/09 10:24:54 PMreport abuse
  • Same old TruthSeeker
    "The William Gale study done in 2005 was of H.R. 25. Read the study. (You are apparently confused with his 1998 article.) Even though he refers to HR 25 as a NRST, it's very clear in the study that he is referring to the FairTax."
    Please cite references. Direct study and implying are two different things.
    The man adds massive tax evasion to the equation without proof or evidence. And yet you still keep pushing him even though you cite Diamond and Zodrow who used his numbers and came out with a lower number than you stated.

    "Yes, the BHI study was "bought and paid for" by AFFT."

    Please cite references.

    You are seeing a reflection of yourself in the Kool-Aid. You have studies that contradict Gale and yet you still use him as your crown jewel. You appear to ignore Diamond and Zodrow, and assert your opinion that math is to be ignored because of whose money was used. Who paid for the Gale study?

    I ask for your preferred tax solution, you ignore the question. I post your errors, you ignore them. You also change the subject.

    You are anchored in opposition and when asked for your solution, since you don't like this one, you say nothing. Well that's fascinating, but serves no purpose.

    “The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were.” - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
    By Ken in Oregon @ 06/17/09 06:46:56 PMreport abuse
  • Ken -- You need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid
    Ken -- It's a shame that you've drinking so much Kool-Aid, because it seems that you are one of the (very) few FairTax supporters that's ever bother to do any independent research. I at least have to give you credit for that. Now try taking off the rose-colored glasses.

    The William Gale study done in 2005 was of H.R. 25. Read the study. (You are apparently confused with his 1998 article.) Even though he refers to HR 25 as a NRST, it's very clear in the study that he is referring to the FairTax.

    Yes, the BHI study was "bought and paid for" by AFFT. That is, they paid BHI an undisclosed sum to "prove" that the FairTax worked. (Funny how nobody had ever heard of BHI before or since.) When a particularly advocacy group hires "experts" to prove that advocacy groups claims, that study is naturally suspect. In contrast, nobody paid the reseachers for other studies (all five, not just the one you refer to)to find any particular rate. That's why they are "independent" studies.

    By the way, you might remember how Boortz used to claim that Harvard and MIT did studies supporting the FairTax. Don't you wonder why there aren't any links to those studies. (Hint: They don't exist.)

    Check out the letter signed by the 80 "economists." It's true that many economists believe a consumptiont tax is more efficient than an income tax (which is why so many economists endorse a form of the Flat Tax or a VAT). But notice that there isn't any tax rate mentioned in the "open letter." That was intentional. The letter came out in early 2005, before the William Gale study showed what the rate would need to be. Funny how the letter's never been updated (or any co-signers added) since. Whoops. Now that it's obvious the FairTax doesn't work, it seems that AFFT can't get any economists on board unless AFFT pays them.

    But keep drinking the Kool-Aid. As I said, I am writing all of my Republican representatives asking them to make sure the Republican party officially endorses the FairTax. Oh, please, please, please . . .
    By TruthSeeker @ 06/17/09 02:25:38 PMreport abuse
  • Joyce -- You need to do your own research
    Joyce --

    The so-called "embedded taxes" don't go away unless employees' wages are slashed. That is, you can't "keep 100% of your paycheck" without prices increasing under the FairTax.

    Even Boortz and Linder admit that in their second book (after they were thoroughly chastised by Dr. Dale Jorgenson, who's the Harvard economist professor who developed the idea of the embedded taxes in the first place.) Since Jorgenson is the ONLY economist Boortz cited in his first FairTax book, it's funny how Boortz won't have Jorgenson on his show to explain how the "embedded taxes" work. (Hint: Jorgenson has stated several times that the FairTax simply can't work.) Also, you might read the BHI study that Ken mentions with respect to what will happen to prices if the FairTax is ever enacted. (Hint: They go up.)

    The "trillions coming back" claim is another myth that Boortz made up. Don't you wonder why he never gives any citation to that claim?
    By TruthSeeker @ 06/17/09 02:24:51 PMreport abuse
  • 23 Percent
    Language from HR 25-2009:

    "SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS
    (13) TAX INCLUSIVE FAIR MARKET VALUE- The term ‘tax inclusive fair market value’ means the fair market value of taxable property or services plus the tax imposed by this subtitle.

    "SEC. 101. IMPOSITION OF SALES TAX.
    "(a) In General- There is hereby imposed a tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services.

    "(b) Rate-
    "(1) FOR 2011- In the calendar year 2011, the rate of tax is 23 percent of the gross payments for the taxable property or service."

    So, if I pay $100 at the cash register, 23 of those dollars are tax - that's what "inclusive" means. 23/100 = 23%. When you purchase a good or service today, the employer's share of social security, medicare, etc. of everyone involved in the production and delivery is included in the price of that good or service, to the tune of roughly 23 percent. Those are embedded taxes and they are also included in the price of everything.

    The FairTax removes the embedded taxes of roughly 23 percent and replaces them with an INCLUSIVE 23 percent sales tax for a revenue neutral change. The good news is, you get to keep your whole paycheck now, and you decide how much tax you pay with your purchases. The better news is that businesses will no longer need to build their business models around the tax code; they can actually do what's best for business. That will attract more business to the USA. More businesses, more jobs, higher standard of living.

    Quibbling over how the 23 percent is calculated is small-minded and trivial. Ending the government intrusion, i.e. abolishing the IRS, and abolishing the current tax system is far more important than how the 23 percent is arrived at.
    By Lee @ 06/17/09 01:10:19 PMreport abuse
  • Reason
    Prove it without quoting the Bible.
    By Lee @ 06/17/09 12:44:34 PMreport abuse
  • That's it? Argument
    Sorry, kid, but I made no claim that the William Gale article doesn't exist. There is no need to lie.

    It’s so cute that you changed your argument now that you have been proven wrong. My point was stating that only one of your “studies” directly mentions H.R. 25 and that your claims of rates were wrong. You’ve got nothing to stand on, so you bring up the 23% inclusive rate. How funny. Also, nice touch on misleading people by not discerning exclusive tax rate versus inclusive rate.

    Thanks, but I've read William Gale's article twice since it came out and looked into it's references as well. His references for evasion have no foundation.

    I have also read the 75 page Diamond and Zodrow study (you keep ignoring Diamond). Maybe you have not.
    https://www.policyarchive.org/bitstream/handle/10207/6783/ImpactofHR25-TEPP.pdf?sequence=1

    Table 1, page 4 of 4 (page 74 in pdf) shows you were wrong. BTW it’s not 26.5/38 it’s 26.5/36 (still having problems with numbers?).

    Here’s a study/rebuttal of Gale’s self reference to his 1998 study:
    http://www.fairtax.org/PDF/GaleRebuttal.pdf
    Here’s a study countering Gale 2005 and it will answer you new argument of how it’s 23%:
    http://www.beaconhill.org/FairTax2006/TaxingSalesundertheFairTaxWhatRateWorks061005.pdf

    I love the bought and paid for Beacon Hill Institute comment. I guess the same needs to be said of the William Gale and the Brookings Institute. Don’t forget the Baker Institute for Public Policy. 80 economists who endorse the FairTax are bought and paid for?

    You were wrong, then you changed the premise of your argument. The final questions are: What is Truthseeker’s solution to the large tax code? Or is it just as Truthseeker wants it?
    By Ken in Oregon @ 06/17/09 12:43:59 PMreport abuse
  • Just completely ignore
    how all prices will come down without the embedded taxes, we will become more competitive in the world market and trillions of dollars will poor back into our economy from companies and investors wanting to take advantage of the FairTax approach. Ignore all the jobs that will be created and how we can stop borrowing from China.

    Just continue on finding fault when there isn't anything better. And all the studies about this do not agree on the so-called effective rate but they cannot dispute the benefits.
    By Joyce M/Blythe @ 06/17/09 12:08:16 PMreport abuse
  • Uh, Tell Me Again How the Rate is 23%
    Sorry, Ken, but you're wrong once again.

    Here's a link to the William Gale study (which you claim doesn't exist).

    http://www.brookings.edu/views/articles/gale/20050516.pdf

    Also, the Zodrow study (assuming no tax avoidance), yielded a sales-tax rate of 39% which, according to FairTax-speech, is 28% on a tax-inclusive basis. Moreover, they note that this rate would be on the "lower bound" of what the required FairTax rate would actually be.

    Also, they point out that even the bought-and-paid-for study of BHI/Kotlikoff found that the FairTax rate would need to be 26.5/38%.

    So, big guy, tell me again how the FairTax folks come up with the 23% rate?
    By TruthSeeker @ 06/17/09 10:55:34 AMreport abuse
  • Reason
    "Joyce, it's true -- someone else's sin doesn't make me a sinner. But not reaching out to sinners and trying to help them find salvation DOES make me disobedient to God."

    Good for you. But reaching out is not the same as condemning an entire party because of one issue.
    By Joyce M/Blythe @ 06/17/09 09:31:06 AMreport abuse
  • Wes
    I agree. It amazes me the liberals who insist on all sorts of laws to keep mothers from harming their fetuses through alcohol or drug use -- but who are perfectly okay with them KILLING the babies. Just blows me away!
    By Reason @ 06/16/09 10:24:23 PMreport abuse
  • Stan
    "Also, being a Jew I dont like whoever the klan votes for."

    But you are happy to vote for an anti-Semite who has no interest in protecting Israel? Wow.
    By Reason @ 06/16/09 10:20:09 PMreport abuse
  • Lee and Joyce
    Believing in God isn't all it takes. Even Satan believes in God. Just a belief in God doesn't make you saved and it doesn't make you a Christian.

    Joyce, it's true -- someone else's sin doesn't make me a sinner. But not reaching out to sinners and trying to help them find salvation DOES make me disobedient to God.
    By Reason @ 06/16/09 10:12:35 PMreport abuse
  • That picture of the horse....is it dead? Because if it is, its the perfect analogy. The fairtax will never pass.
    By Eric @ 06/16/09 08:24:48 PMreport abuse
  • @ Big Africa
    Great post. I agree, Ron Paul could have been the saving grace of the Republican party. This past November was the first time I did not vote Republican (for President that is). I voted for Bob Barr.

    I think there is a schism among Repub voters regarding the direction our party is going. Somehow I don't see how Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber are going to win voters. Seems like these odd choices preach to the choir.
    By jacob @ 06/16/09 08:07:35 PMreport abuse
  • @By Copyleft @ 06/16/09 03:31:54
    *Should government intervene in a woman's reproductive choices? Heck no.

    Reproductive choices? If you're going to say you believe a woman should be able to get an abortion at any time during her pregnancy, have the balls to say it.

    *Is America a Christian nation? Not while we've got a Constitution, it isn't.

    Yes, America is a Christian nation. It's just not a Christian government.

    *Should America be interfering in every other nation in the world and trying to set up an American Empire? Of course not.

    That is no more unique to Dems and Libs than if I said Republicans and Libertarians believe having sex with chickens should be illegal.

    *Do we need more transparency and accountability from our government? Absolutely.

    See previous.

    *Should the government have the power to lock people up without charges or counsel, indefinitely, and then torture them? What a ridiculous notion.

    Of course it should in cases where it is dealing with legitimate enemy combatants.
    By Gavin Volaire @ 06/16/09 07:17:04 PMreport abuse
  • I think I'm gonna be ill
    the troll is especially disgusting today

    Libertarians believe most of all in personal responsibility and THAT liberals (politicians) will never do because it takes away their power and their liberal voters (like troll) are too stupid to see they are being used.

    Talk about bowing at the Almighty Entitlement Masters feet!

    Actually I think Copy is just a daddy's girl, working on a paper for her professor, this forum is her research.

    Let us know your grade when you're done.
    By Joyce M/Blythe, GA @ 06/16/09 06:41:19 PMreport abuse
  • Truthseeker the blind
    Sorry sweetheart, but…
    "Here's the independent studies, the years they were done and the required tax rate."

    These aren't all "studies". Publications and studies.
    Only ONE of them directly discuss the Fairtax legislation (it’s Diamond AND Zodrow). William Gale discusses a NRST (thus it is called commentary), but does not publish the methodology, though he says evasion will be rampant. He cites no valid references showing a 10% sales tax as limit for evasion. He uses a NRST, but not the FairTax as written. He cites no reference of empirical or analytical evidence for his rampant evasion assumption.
    Since Gale’s article is your reference I get to use this:
    The FairTax reduces complexity, compliance costs, and noncompliance (2007)

    Diamond and Zodrow published their publication as the "THE IMPACT OF H.R. 25 ON HOUSING AND THE HOMEBUILDING INDUSTRY"

    You are MISINFORMING people. Do your homework.
    Diamond and Zondrow state 29.1% (inclusive)
    Had you DONE your homework, you would have read this from DZ:
    "Our results indicate that such a reform would generate significant overall macroeconomic improvement in both the short and long runs..."
    AND
    "In particular, the model simulation results indicate that GDP would increase by 3.8 percent in the long run, reflecting a 2.9 percent in labor supply and a 5.3 increase in overall investment."

    I look forward to debating about the FairTax, but not with Truthseeker, since I actually like a CHALLENGE.
    By Ken in Oregon @ 06/16/09 06:33:38 PMreport abuse
  • embedded taxes..
    any company whom does not take advantage and make adjustments to the end product will simply be crushed into the earth by any competition which does take advantage of these incentives.we wont even talk about hard working people whom are getting taxed to death and have no choice as to weither or not they want to donate to the government.the fairtax gives us choice if we choose to be taxed or not.I am one of those being taxed to death but apparently not enough the IRS is auditing me again claiming i owe more when the way its calculated im paying @ 60% to them a year.its at the point where i no longer see much incentive to even bother working anymore.they are taking what is not theirs by way of cleverly planned legal eze.it is truely a ponzi scheme in mass proportions .the elected officials are committing fraud against the public voter by continuing to use this marksist form of progressive taxation we need the fairtax or no tax.
    By Steve...B @ 06/16/09 04:52:24 PMreport abuse
  • Wrong
    Oh gosh, you know me so well, don't you? How many times have I watched Fox News in the past 10 years, genius? Maybe three or four. But you have your talking points down so well. And you really aren't as bright as you think. Just because we have a CinC who has somehow conned all of the media and half of registered voters into believing narcissism is hip, doesn't make it so. Try again.
    By Copyleft @ 06/16/09 04:45:40 PMreport abuse
  • Copyleft
    Letting a bureaucracy headed by a self-appointed elite run an economy is abandoning all reason. Liberals seem unable to grasp that competition fosters innovation and efficiency. Liberals are the ones who favor union monopolies on labor and government regulation on all aspects of the economy, while blaming the evil corporations for all that is wrong with the economy. Liberals fail to realize that corporations are owned by stockholders who are regular people with retirement accounts, savings accounts, and insurance. When corporations prosper, our standard of living goes up. When the bureaucracy prospers, our standard of living goes down. Private industry creates wealth. Government seizes wealth and redistributes it. Libertarians oppose government seizing property. Liberals appear to favor it. If no one is creating wealth, who's going to pay the bills? How will we maintain our standard of living?
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 04:16:58 PMreport abuse
  • Truth Seeker...
    Everytime you say that the fair tax doesn't work it reminds me that it works...funny how that works.

    But honestly its much better than the flat tax and the communist progressive income tax.
    By Red Leader @ 06/16/09 03:53:37 PMreport abuse
  • The Fair Tax
    I love the idea, but the Fair Tax will *never* pass muster in Washington simply because it cedes some of government's power back to the People.

    The government will never, ever give up the ability to use the tax code to reward or punish. Why would they? There is no incentive for them to do so and much to lose.
    By Common Sense @ 06/16/09 03:50:23 PMreport abuse
  • Republican Obsessions
    You know, it may be true that Republicans could get more votes if they stopped obsessing about abortion and focused on the Fair Tax.

    But Republicans have always been like that.

    Just imagine how many more votes Lincoln could have gotten, especially in the South, if he had just stopped obsessing about slavery, and focused instead on tariffs and internal improvements.

    Dumb Republicans. Always obsessing about fundamental values.
    By Laura @ 06/16/09 03:40:14 PMreport abuse
  • To: David Hughes
    "(Liberals) simply take a contrary stance to whatever a social or fiscal conservative says."

    I'm sure it seems that way to you, David, but trust me--we don't spend a lot of time considering what ignorant conservatives have to say in forming our own, far more reasonable, opinions.

    In fact, liberals and libertarians already agree (or should agree) on many issues.

    *Should government intervene in a woman's reproductive choices? Heck no.

    *Is America a Christian nation? Not while we've got a Constitution, it isn't.

    *Should America be interfering in every other nation in the world and trying to set up an American Empire? Of course not.

    *Do we need more transparency and accountability from our government? Absolutely.

    *Should the government have the power to lock people up without charges or counsel, indefinitely, and then torture them? What a ridiculous notion.

    See? Libertarians can agree with sensible, intelligent liberal positions in many areas. It's only in economics that the libertarians abandon reason and begin bowing and scraping to the Almighty Corporate Master, Guardian of True Freedom. (cough--right!)

    But keep reading and thinking--which, by the way, means turning OFF Faux News and talk radio--and someday you may be able to join us smart folks with sensible opinions to help run the country the RIGHT way! (smile)
    By Copyleft @ 06/16/09 03:31:54 PMreport abuse
  • $50,000 Gross - $30,000 Net
    If employers expect to keep talented, skilled workers, they're going to need to pay the full amount. Otherwise, other employers will lure away those employees with higher wages.
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 03:27:42 PMreport abuse
  • Burley
    I think there is a point missing here. People can believe in god all they want and live accordingly. Someone else going against the bible teachings does not make you a sinner.

    I am not in favor of abortion but NOT for religious reasons.

    But as long as it's legal, I am not going to condemn someone else. Publicly anyway....

    Same for gay rights. You probably do not believe in gay rights because of one line in the bible (that was probably inserted by the mentality of the times) but someone else having a gay relationship does not make you gay.

    But still I go back to my original point: is ONE issue enough to change your party? If everything else about that party reflects who you are?
    By Joyce M/Blythe @ 06/16/09 02:59:26 PMreport abuse
  • Some of us believe in God
    But do not accept the assertion that the Bible is the untainted, inerrant, final, incontrovertible, literal, lone revelation of God. One can believe in God and still believe the Bible is just a book.
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 02:55:48 PMreport abuse
  • "For I knew you before I formed you"
    I realize that many of you say you believe in God, but then deny most of what he says. I also realize that to profess belief in what GOD actually says is tantamount to a public statement of insanity and instantly removes any credibility in the eyes of the "enlightened" AND that at least one of you is going to reply with some other scripture out of context to make me look like a loon but , Here's my basis for what I said:(yes, I'm going to quote the Bible) Jeremiah 1:5. I'm going to let you look it up, because I also know that there are only TWO sides in the overall battle that's going on here. I KNOW which side I'm on and before you dismiss me as a kook, you may want to evaluate which side you are on.
    By Burley @ 06/16/09 02:36:22 PMreport abuse
  • OOPS!
    I put "Jason" in the name box where I should have put "Lee" then put "You're Correct" in the subject box. Rats!
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 02:32:00 PMreport abuse
  • JBB
    JBB: "Sure, you keep your whole paycheck...but the employer removes all the "embedded taxes" of it's product by eliminating the part of your salary that goes towards taxes.

    Before Fair Tax:
    $50,000 Gross ; $30,000 Net"

    You are making an assumption there. My boss and I have had plenty of discussions on this and he says no. Company will get rid of embedded taxes on supplies and materials, become more productive, resulting in more raises and bonuses.
    By Joyce M/Blythe @ 06/16/09 02:30:30 PMreport abuse
  • You're Correct
    I agree that Libertarians as a whole spend far too much time bashing Republicans without considering that in doing so, they are alienating their most likely newcomers. This is about as smart as the Dixie Chicks badmouthing George Bush when most of their fans live in red states (nobody said entertainers were the brightest lot, and Hollywood seems to regularly confirm the notion).

    The LP would do well to develop a positive message that looks forward to a day of less government interference in our daily lives and quits bashing prospective/potential new members.

    Then again, as long as the GOP stays preoccupied with regulating women's uteruses, homosexuals, drugs, creationism, school prayer, and the like, I will continue re-upping my LP membership. If the GOP ever lets go of those issues and focuses primarily on smaller government and fiscal responsibility, I might consider voting for their candidates.
    By Jason @ 06/16/09 02:16:56 PMreport abuse
  • Jason
    you said "The Purist doesn't want any taxes but then I ask, how do you fund defense and infrastructure?"

    do you think your income tax pays for these things? i don't think so.

    "100% of what is collected is absorbed solely by interest on the Federal Debt ... all
    individual income tax revenues are gone before one nickel is spent on the services
    taxpayers expect from government."
    -Grace Commission report submitted to President Ronald Reagan - January 15, 1984
    By tshirt-doctor.com @ 06/16/09 01:58:11 PMreport abuse
  • Sell Fair Tax Straight
    I support the Fair Tax...just remember 1 thing though...your "Take Home Pay" will NOT change!

    Sure, you keep your whole paycheck...but the employer removes all the "embedded taxes" of it's product by eliminating the part of your salary that goes towards taxes.

    Before Fair Tax:
    $50,000 Gross ; $30,000 Net

    After Fair Tax:
    $30,000 Gross ; $30,000 Net

    And then ywhen ou go spend it, and 'Most' products will be 'About' the same price as before.
    By JBB @ 06/16/09 01:54:59 PMreport abuse
  • Neal, Neal, Neal don't bring up abortion if you don't want to debate it.
    I want to second what "paganposts" said earlier down the thread!

    Not only is it logical that if you believe that life begins at conception , then you MUST oppose abortion. Also...

    Beyond that in the logic stream, you must understand that since we are endowed with the right to life, then the government deciding to allow people to take that life is unconstitutional and constitutes the government allowing one party to trample on the consitutionally protected rights of another.

    There may be "a lot of conservatives, for instance, who do not feel that it is the government's role to control a woman's reproductive life." However, there are also a lot of us who do not feel that it is the government's role to recind a human's endowed right to life. That is a true libertarian stance.

    Many of us view the constitution as worthless if the government gets to decide who gets to live and die.

    Therefore we will NEVER vote for a pro-abortion party or candidate.
    By Kurt P @ 06/16/09 01:54:20 PMreport abuse
  • Reverse Strategy?
    Reading comments from folks like Copyleft and Stan Gable has me convinced that Liberals don't put a lot of thought or effort into issues of governance (or anything else for that matter). They simply take a contrary stance to whatever a social or fiscal conservative says. Makes me think we should pull all the Republican and Libertarian voters together and make public statements like:

    1) We need to grow the size of government and deficit spending until one can't sneeze without a federal employee there to say "Bless you," and getting paid handsomely for it;

    2) Al Gore is so right--- and if we can just tax everyone out of another 10-15% of their income, the climate will stop changing;

    3) Let's be fair and tax everyone's income at about 50%--- after all, some people just don't want to work, and that's OK. We should all want to help support someone else's cigarette/Jerry Springer viewing habit;

    4) Let's totally disarm, open our borders and give Lei's (and free health care and a new house) to anyone who enters our country, regardless of their background and/or intentions. And let's change our National Anthem to 'Kumbayah' or something equally likely to inspire love and peace to our brothers who have declared death to us all;

    5) We should just scrap the Constitution and say 'to hell' with all its outdated articles and amendments... and while we're at it, who needs a values system or national code of ethics? I should be able to do what I want, where I want, with whom or what I want, when I want.

    Something tells me the left would shift to ultra-conservatism in less time than it takes to hear the obligatory cinematic record scratch, just to take the contrary position. I wouldn't really suggest the Republican Party do this, though, as it seems they have tested the waters too many times, and we keep tilting further left because of it. I don't know about anyone else, but every time I read or hear the news, I half expect to hear ominous music, then Rod Serling's voice tell me I'm in the Twilight Zone.
    By David Hughes @ 06/16/09 01:47:18 PMreport abuse
  • All Studies Show the FairTax Doesn't Add Up
    LOL You want the evidence? (Not that any of you will bother to look it up.) Here's the independent studies, the years they were done and the required tax rate.

    1. Congressional Joint Committe on Taxation. (1998 and 2000) 55%-57%

    2. Institute for Tax and Economic Policy (2004) 59%.

    3. William Gale (Brooking Institution) (2005) -- 45%-66% (depending on level of tax avoidance)

    4. President Bush's Tax Reform Panel (2006) 34% (just to replace the income tax; it would need to be double that to replace all federal taxes)

    5. Zodrow (Rice University)(2008) 40% (assuming zero tax avoidance)

    All of these are availabe on the internet. Don't you ever wonder why Boortz doesn't ever link to them? If they are so bad, don't you ever wonder why Boortz doesn't have one of these folks on his show so he can shoot them down? Don't you wonder why Boortz won't ever have ANY critic of the FairTax on his show?

    If the Republicans ever publicly endorsed the FairTax, they know they would actually need to DEBATE it in public. (Not hide from debates like Boortz and Linder.) Like I said, please, please endorse the FairTax.
    By TruthSeeker @ 06/16/09 01:43:28 PMreport abuse
  • Fairtax would hurt middle class
    The vouchers take care of the lower income folks, but do nothing for the middle class. For someone making 60-80 a year, the fairtax rate is much higher than their effective federal tax rate. (Due to deductions for mortgage, kids, charity, 401K, etc.)
    By Mike @ 06/16/09 01:43:07 PMreport abuse
  • @TruthSeeker
    Ummm....WHAAA???

    What are you smoking? This would be the first I have heard as to why Huckabee lost, because of the FairTax.

    He lost because he was painted as a right wing religious wacko.
    By Big G @ 06/16/09 01:38:24 PMreport abuse
  • Truthseeker
    Your name is an oxymoron. "Every" independent economist? Not hardly.

    It does work.
    By Joyce M/Blythe @ 06/16/09 01:27:33 PMreport abuse
  • Fair Tax & Republicans
    Neal, I believe you may be missing the main reason why many Republican leaders are not supporting the Fair Tax. I believe most citizens who consider themselves Republicans will support the Fair Tax once they fully understand it. The same can not be said of most Republican politicians. The reason is simply power. Most people tend to be attracted to public office not out of some desire to serve their fellow man, but out of a desire for power and prestige. People who are attracted to power and prestige are not likely to support a measure which basically takes away most of their power. This is true of both Democrats and Republicans. That is why I see little chance of getting the Fair Tax through the Congress.
    Instead we need to focus on the state legislatures. State legislators tend to be more in-touch with their constituents and hence more responsive to them. Also, when you look at the number of "red" states, it should be easier to get 2/3 of the legislatures to support a Constitutional Convention to address the Fair Tax.
    This will be a difficult path, no matter which we it goes, but I do feel there is a better chance starting with the states.
    By Gregg @ 06/16/09 01:25:05 PMreport abuse
  • Whee!
    This is fun!
    By The Charlie Scott @ 06/16/09 01:20:33 PMreport abuse
  • Libertarian in-fighting as we see in this thread.
    T-shirt Doctor and Lee.
    This is precisely why I will not renew my Libertarian status and remain independent with Libertarian principles.
    The in-fighting in the Libertarian Party really bothers me and the Georgia Convention a couple of months back was like a pep rally for bashing Republicans instead of a chance to solidify a platform and do something.
    More Republicans actually support the FairTax than Libertarians due to this naive purist outlook. The Purist doesn't want any taxes but then I ask, how do you fund defense and infrastructure? Besides, the FairTax is not taxing your income and you don't have to pay it if you don't want to buy anything so what is the issue?
    Independent with Libertarian Principles, thats the way to go.
    By Jason @ 06/16/09 01:01:34 PMreport abuse
  • Why I dont vote Republican, because I love America
    Republicans care more about the Iraqi economy and people more than American Economy or people. They like big government to control medicine(abortion), families(gay marriage) and security(military). They also care more about what Jesus said than what the constitution says.

    Also, being a Jew I dont like whoever the klan votes for
    By Stan Gable @ 06/16/09 12:57:58 PMreport abuse
  • Truthseeker - not so much
    Truthseeker posts the typical rants against the FairTax, but no supporting evidence. Most who are educated about the FairTax understand that what he is referring to are studies not done on the FairTax at all, but watered down versions of a national sales tax bearing little resemblance to the actual bill. Truthseeker probably knows that, which is why he did not post any supporting evidence.
    By John Galt @ 06/16/09 12:56:02 PMreport abuse
  • Truthseeker
    Name the independent economists that stated this along with facts and figures please
    By booger @ 06/16/09 12:44:06 PMreport abuse
  • Truthseeker
    You are misinformed. By my count, 80 prominent economists have publicly endorsed the FairTax.

    http://www.fairtax.org/PDF/Open_Letter.pdf
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 12:40:33 PMreport abuse
  • failed PUBLIC collegiate system
    In like agreeance with Cpl Pugh - however, I don't believe the entire collegiate system is full of liberal school of thought. It's the same government-run public school meat-grinder that children begin being processed through at kindergarden. The brainwashing begins waaaay before college.
    By - Bye Liberty @ 06/16/09 12:40:00 PMreport abuse
  • Scared
    Republicans won't support the Fair Tax for the same reasons Democrats won't - the current unfair taxation is the source of their power and that is what they desire. Even if, in the case of the Republicans, it is a decreasing share of the power.
    By Waldo @ 06/16/09 12:37:47 PMreport abuse
  • The Road map for a Conservative comeback
    http://jasonfalter.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/road-map-for-a-conservative-comeback/

    The Libertarian Slant has an interesting blog on what the road map we need to take should be for defeating the Demoncrats.
    By Jason @ 06/16/09 12:27:01 PMreport abuse
  • Republicans don't want to give power back to the people anymore than Democrats do. That's why we will never see this idea come to fruition.
    By Headhunter @ 06/16/09 12:25:52 PMreport abuse
  • Lee
    i agree with what you're saying, i don't want to, but i do.

    ps. i'm a purist to keep you in line :O)
    By tshirt-doctor.com @ 06/16/09 12:23:12 PMreport abuse
  • Republicans -- Please Adopt the FairTax (lol)
    As a Democrat, I hope like hell that the Republicans will hang themselves with the FairTax. But the reason they don't, is because they know it doesn't work.

    When Huckabee ran with the FairTax, every news organization (including FoxNews) pointed out that every independent economist who'd reviewed the FairTax over the last 10 years had shown time and again that it couldn't work. The tax rate would need to be over 50% and it would be largely unenforceable.

    Although Boortz and the Huckabee supporters were able to gnore this, becasue, after all, Huckabee was never the frontrunner and tax plans put most people to sleep, but if Huckabee had won the Republican nomination, the Democrats and the media would have had a field day exposing the myths of the FairTax.

    So, please. All you Republicans out there, please, please run on the FairTax so you'll doom your party to minority (and quack) status for years to come.
    By TruthSeeker @ 06/16/09 12:14:09 PMreport abuse
  • kindergarden class............................
    he took my blocks! she touched me! I want my mama!

    those are more appropriate statements on this site today. shame, shame, you deserve a time out.

    tunnel vision is a major cause of how we got here in the first place. some of you dumbasses are a one point pony. abortion, taxes, defence, social programs are all included in in whats needed and whats wrong with our gubmint today.

    if you focus on only one issue you soon lose sight of everything else. as an example, while driving focus on only one car, sign etc. I'll read about the results of that in the O'bits.

    can any of you dumbasses say BIG PICTURE? we have to get the stinking muslim marxist socialist out of public housing and he has to take reed/pulousy and their frinds with them.

    finally if it ain't your womb you have no bizniss there.
    By butt neckid @ 06/16/09 12:13:28 PMreport abuse
  • Fair Tax
    I couldn't agree more. I have been saying that if the Republicans would take up the Fair Tax and border control that those two issues alone would give them the victory. I am totally convinced of it.
    By Russ @ 06/16/09 12:04:30 PMreport abuse
  • FairTax vs. Digital TV
    Neal, Didn't you read my post from yesterday? Too many people in this country couldn't even figure out the switch to digital TV. How are you going to convince so many dolts that they "can take home 100% of their paychecks" or "they don't pay taxes on the necessities" or "Not one penny for the government until your family is taken care of." Too many stupid Americans out there for the FairTax to ever become reality.
    By Dave W. @ 06/16/09 12:02:36 PMreport abuse
  • Parental Responsibility
    I don't want to control anyone's reproductive behavior.

    I don't want to force or forbid anyone to reproduce. I don't want to tell them whether or when to have sex, with whom, or with what sort of birth control.

    But we have to insist that parents take care of whatever children they do end up conceiving: whether intentionally or accidentally.

    We don't make abandonment safe and legal for fathers, just because they didn't intend to conceive a child. If they took the chance, they have to take the consequences. I don't see why we should treat women as less responsible than men.

    If you choose to have sex, you assume the risk of conceiving a child. Then you must be responsible for taking care of that child - and not killing it like a cockroach.

    And by the way, in case you doubt that "fetus" is a person, just ask yourself this: If someone walks up to a pregnant woman and smacks her in the belly with a baseball bat, causing a miscarriage, what crime has he committed? A simple assault on the woman? A violation of her "right to privacy"? Or has he committed a homicide?

    Be honest. You know the answer.
    By Franz Fafner @ 06/16/09 11:56:46 AMreport abuse
  • Tshirt Doc
    I agree that ultimately most services now provided by the government should be provided by private enterprise, and in turn should be privately financed. But unfortunately, we've painted ourselves into a box. The US government is now the largest employer in the country. If we're going to pare public spending down to the bare minimum, public employees need some place to go. And the transition won't happen over night. I think one of the major benefits of the FairTax is that by eliminating taxes on businesses, it will create a haven for private enterprise in the US, which will provide employment opportunities for those currently employed by the government.

    One of the problems with the hard-core Libertarians, in my view, and why I participated in the Reform Caucus, is that they do not provide for a transitional period. They seem to think that we'll just flip a switch, and voila, we're going to be free from an over-bearing federal government. We did not just one day wake up in an over-governed society, so we are not going to one day just wake up and see it all gone. We must chip away at the monster we've created, and I happen to believe that the FairTax, by removing the means with which government has the most control over us, the IRS and the income tax, is the best first step in that direction.
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 11:55:58 AMreport abuse
  • "Elections have consequences. Are you starting to figure that out yet?"
    Neal, I get it. I've gotten it for a long while. Everyone I know gets it (granted, I associate with like minded people).

    Please stop beating the SITYS drum and move on to something positive - like what the heck we can actually do about it!
    By Martin McFly @ 06/16/09 11:33:37 AMreport abuse
  • Fair Tax
    You should have used a photo of a dead horse, because that's what you're beating here.

    You underestimate the power of the IRS.
    By Clay @ 06/16/09 11:25:22 AMreport abuse
  • tired of neal
    I get so tired of Neal and his abortion comments. He is smart enough to know that anti abortion folks do not want to control a woman's reproductive processes. Pro life people believe that at some point that baby is a life. Women have babies, so they get the aim of the argument. If republicans want to start limiting how much birth control you can take, then you have an argument.

    You choose to have sex. You might get pregnant. Personal responsibility is something Neal always preaches, when it suits his views I guess.

    Here's the truth Neal, plain and simple. 1)the republicans are not losing because of their abortion stance
    2) fair tax want win them an election, so stop saying it. I like the idea, but your comments are ridiculous. Mike Huckabee took that platform and ran with it. He didn't come close to winning
    By Wes @ 06/16/09 11:20:27 AMreport abuse
  • Reply to those complaining about "liberal college professors"
    I would beg to differ with those who rant about "liberal college professors".

    Please tell me how differential equations are liberal or conservative? How are the inner workings of an animal or plant cell liberal or conservative? How is the concept and calculation of price elasticity liberal or conservative? How is a lab experiment with boiling liquids in test tubes liberal or conservative? How are basic Psychology concepts like Pavlov's Dogs liberal or conservative? How is almost any class taught in the Engineering department liberal or conservative (is there "liberal" and "conservative" heat transfer?)? How is the study of a foreign language liberal or conservative?

    Perhaps some degree of liberal bias could come through in a Political Science or Literature class . . and of course there will be bias in the wacko illegitimate disciplines like "Women's Studies" . . . but I would venture to say that the vast majority of college students who choose "mainstream" majors are not going to be subjected to a 4-year diet of constant leftist propoganda as some would allege.
    By Moderate University Alum @ 06/16/09 11:17:50 AMreport abuse
  • The GOP...
    ...has lost voters because they have embraced the ideology of the left and the idea of tinkering with communist ideas such as a progressive income tax. Why isn't the GOP calling for abolishment of the income tax? The last election was pretty much democrat vs democrat...the only real traditional republican in the race(that would be Ron Paul) was treated badly by the GOP simply because he was a traditional conservative who wanted to follow the constitution. It really shows that the Republicans have more to do with the left and neo-con ideology which is the polar opposite of actual old school Jeffersonian conservatism. The GOP has been hijacked by those on the left which is why we see fascism slowly creeping into power in this country. The very minute the GOP starts to embrace Ron Paul's ideas they will win votes. The GOP needs to come out against the income tax, needless wars and interventionism in other countries' internal affairs,federal schooling, the war on drugs, policing the planet to the tune of bankruptcy, and amnesty and the GOP will gain votes. If the GOP does not embrace these things they will continue to drive votes to the Libertarians and Obamans. Just as they did when they put a moderate democrat supporting communist ideology(Amnesty Mccain) up and pretended he was a serious conservative republican candidate for president. Lets face it, too many conservatives simply aren't buying the whole 'war on terror', 'patriot act' nonsense anymore...enough to keep the GOP losing elections if they do not bend to Jefferson type ideas. We need real liberty based conservatism, not this fake Bush/Cheney stuff of which Obama has continued by the way.
    By Big Africa @ 06/16/09 11:13:21 AMreport abuse
  • Now, I get it
    Thanks, Pagan & Gail. What would we do without y'all?

    So, Gail. I read your post. May I please interpret it? If a person reads your post aloud in a deep forest, and there is no one there to intepret it, does it make a sound? If it is interpreted is it still gibberish?

    And, Pagan? If only politicians and the literati are liberal...how do they ever achieve power, as it would seem to follow that politicians and the literati wouldn't be a majority.

    Don't we read a post to interpret it? Did you interpret my post, Gail? You must have or you wouldn't have gleaned any meaning from it.

    EVERYONE! Read the posts but do not interpret them. (Glad to help, Gail.)

    Thanks, Pagan! Now I get it. Republikkkan David Duke rules!

    The mind boggles...
    By The Charlie Scott @ 06/16/09 11:12:35 AMreport abuse
  • republicans
    well, the original republicans believed in personal liberty. later they changed that into - "if you don't follow the Bible you're the devil" and started imposing their way of life on others - far cry from personal liberty. So i'm registered independent, but i am actually the original republican. these maniacs just stole my party.
    By eve @ 06/16/09 11:11:39 AMreport abuse
  • Lee
    i am a purist, but i'm not the only one.
    this is from http://www.theadvocates.org/library/issues-taxes.html
    How do libertarians feel about taxes?

    Americans already obtain a host of services from private providers. There is every reason to think that other services, from postal delivery to education to road building and maintenance, could be provided more efficiently and at lower cost by the private sector.

    We should support all moves to reduce and repeal taxes because taxes are obtained immorally, by force. The income tax is particularly evil, since it penalizes productivity and forces all of us to expose our private affairs to government snoopers.

    We had no income tax before 1914 and America prospered. Replacing the income tax with voluntary methods for financing services should be our goal, and we should begin right now.
    By tshirt-doctor.com @ 06/16/09 11:06:36 AMreport abuse
  • @paganposts
    How about shorter posts so it doesn't take as long to scroll past them without reading whatever it is they say?
    By Gavin Volaire @ 06/16/09 10:56:34 AMreport abuse
  • Burley, are you SURE?
    Genesis 2:7 says:

    And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

    It sounds to me the Bible suggests life begins with first breath. Are you sure you aren't worshiping the church instead of God?
    By Stuart Pitt @ 06/16/09 10:55:03 AMreport abuse
  • T-Shirt Doctor
    I am a card-carrying Libertarian. I always vote Libertarian if there is one on the ballot. I contribute to the Libertarian Party, and I have participated in the Libertarian Platform Reform Caucus. I also belong to Americans for Fair Taxation - the folks who sponsor the FairTax. I donate to it regularly, too.

    So, who made you the arbiter of what constitutes a Libertarian? And how does being a FairTax supporter negate my Libertarian alignment? If you're a total purist, you are a party of one. So, do not presume to speak for either the whole of Libertarians or FairTax supporters. You're well within bounds to speak for yourself, but you do not speak for me.
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 10:54:05 AMreport abuse
  • Re: Jeff
    Great comments Jeff. Only after I started looking at things logically and consistently with a libertarian viewpoint did I start to agree with beliefs you espouse. When I was young (and naive) I thought abortion was alright because it was "better" for society. Why bring an unwanted person into the world? Now I see that applying the same logic and standards that give me my rights, will have to bestow the rights to every living person, even if they are not born yet.

    Mr. Boortz: I do not want to control anybody's reproductive system. They can have sex with as many people, as many times as they like. But actions have consequences and once a woman because pregnent, its not about her and her body, its about the life and rights of the individual inside of her. Be a man and debate this issue or stop with the snide comments.
    By Wayne @ 06/16/09 10:49:20 AMreport abuse
  • Charlie Scott
    Charlie,
    You need to READ Cpl. Pugh's comment rather than misinterpreting it.
    By Gail @ 06/16/09 10:47:35 AMreport abuse
  • @Burley
    If you think "GOD HATES the shedding of innocent blood", you haven't read the Old Testament. I get the impression, he quite enjoys it.

    I do agree with you on one point, it does come down to when does someone qualify as an "individual". I just don't think it is as easy as having the tooth fairy answer the question.

    The bigger point is that abortion and gay marriage shouldn't be topics that Republicans use to galvanize the party. That is if they want to win the moderate vote.
    By LandMind @ 06/16/09 10:41:57 AMreport abuse
  • Sorry Charlie
    “The more educated you are, the more likely you are to be liberal.

    Also, if you are liberal, the more likely Boortz is to call you ignorant.”

    Actually, he said you are more likely to come out of college liberal, because you have been indoctrinated in the fantasy world of the liberal professors.

    Then what happens, is you go out into the real world and you learn to be conservative in order to be successful, unless, of course, you go into politics or stay in the educational system, then you can continue to be liberal.
    By paganposts @ 06/16/09 10:37:11 AMreport abuse
  • libertarians and the fair tax
    if you know a libertarian who's a fair tax supporter, then he's not a libertarian. sorta of like neal, a LINO
    By tshirt-doctor.com @ 06/16/09 10:33:11 AMreport abuse
  • Women's Reproductive Rights
    Neal's right. As long as the GOP seeks to limit women's reproductive rights, I'll be voting Libertarian.
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 10:31:09 AMreport abuse
  • You're about half right on this one, Neal
    It appears that the dimocrats have over-reached to such an astounding level that we're going to see a huge correction in the mid-term elections. The so-called healthcare "reform" bill is going to fail. The Republicans will gain a lot of seats, eliminating the dimocrat majority and producing legislative stalemate for the last 2 years of this lame duck presidency. If the Republicans would once and for all endorse the Fair Tax, this would go a long way to restoring conservative's faith in the party.

    Either way, the dimocrats have cooked their own goose because the so-called "stimulus" (porkulus) package is a massive failure of unprecedented proportions. And they know it.
    By $mooth Operator @ 06/16/09 10:28:13 AMreport abuse
  • The problem
    You want to know what the real problem with Conservatism is. We have let our opponents define us. It’s really as simple as that.

    Whenever I talk to anyone that is not a conservative about politics, they are almost always surprised that I am a conservative. Why? Because they have been taught, via the press, that conservatives are a bunch of racists, sexists, bigots, homophobes, rich white guys, who are screwing “the people” over. But I am none of those things, and, when the engage me in some honest political discussion, they, more often than not, start realizing that they are conservative themselves.

    Why do you think so many people in the survey identify themselves as moderates? It’s because they know, instinctually, that they are not Liberals, because Liberal ideas don’t resonate with them. But, because conservatives have done such a lousy job of teaching what conservatism is since Reagan, they don’t realize that they are in fact conservative. So they label themselves moderates.

    Then, when it comes election time, they listen to the news and read the papers and they get one of two perceptions on most Republicans:

    1) Hi, I’m John McCain, I’m democrat light, vote for me, because the other guys ideas are all great and wonderful, I’m just going to do it better.
    2) The press does a complete smear job and convinces them that the Republican candidate is going to “give” all the money to the evil, greedy, rich white guy. Lock all the minorities up in jail. Take away women’s right to vote. Close down Social Security and let all the old people die. Force homosexuals into concentration camps. Etc, etc, etc.

    So be it the FairTax, or Social Security Reform, or education reform, whatever the issue, the conservatives in this country have got to start putting forth REAL conservative candidates that will not only teach and preach conservatism, but, once they get into office, actually practice it!
    By paganposts @ 06/16/09 10:24:51 AMreport abuse
  • Where do you live
    I don't know where Sloppyleft lives, but up here in "liberal" vermont, we're getting a little sick of our elected officials.

    I've heard quite a bit of talk about needing to get rid of Welch and Leahy. Bernie is still fairing well.
    By Don B-W @ 06/16/09 10:19:02 AMreport abuse
  • Republicans and the Fairtax
    Rex, you are right. Republicans have become "democrat-lite". Furthermore they are control freaks as well. There is one other point. There is a whole industry of tax-compliance i.e. turbotax, Hr Block, etc.

    The realestate industry has their hand in the cookie jar as well due to the deductibility of mortgage interest and property taxes. Hence, they would be reluctant to go for a Fairtax. Also, the realestate industry and the tax compliance industry has a lot of money to use to bribe, "i.e. campaign contributions", their elected representatives. Hence it will take a serious groundswell to get this thing to pass.

    Don't get me wrong, the Fair tax is the way to go. I am just pointing out that a lot of people make their living helping people comply with the US Internal Revenue Code.
    By @Rex @ 06/16/09 10:12:43 AMreport abuse
  • Mr. Burley's comment
    After I read Mr. Burley's comment, I pondered for a moment how he knows that God considers life to begin at conception. I must have missed that; was it on Springer, MTV or The View?

    Then a very deep, Richard Sturban-like voice thundered from above:

    "Where is Burley going? And, what is he doing in that handbasket?"
    By The Charlie Scott @ 06/16/09 10:09:45 AMreport abuse
  • I agree with Cpl Pugh
    The more educated you are, the more likely you are to be liberal.

    Also, if you are liberal, the more likely Boortz is to call you ignorant.
    By Charlie Scott @ 06/16/09 10:04:57 AMreport abuse
  • Far beyond the most researched piece of legislation...
    It is absolutely brilliant. It is Adam Smith at it's finest. It is free market economics at it's finest. The Fair Tax is the one piece of legislation that will absolutely save this nation.
    By Matt @ 06/16/09 09:59:01 AMreport abuse
  • It's Logical?
    Neal, what has always attracted me to you and your show is your very logical, straightforward way of looking at our constitution and the laws of our country. It was your logic that convinced me that the War on Drugs is not only a bad idea, but has no Constitutional standing. It was your logic that made me understand that States Rights are one of the most important checks and balances written into the constitution. It was your logic that got me to see how detrimental it is to our country to have Senator’s directly elected by the populace, rather than appointed to represent the States as was intended. You have this wonderful, logical mind, then you make a statement like this and it makes me wonder:

    “There are a lot of conservatives, for instance, who do not feel that it is the government's role to control a woman's reproductive life”

    What in the wide, wide, world of logic does believing that life begins at birth and, therefore, abortion is murder, have to do with controlling a women’s reproductive life??? It’s just NOT LOGICAL. IF you believe life begins at conception then you HAVE to oppose to abortion. It’s as simple as that.

    But you keep insisting on using the democrat tactic of impugning your opponents’ motives instead of debating their arguments logically when it comes to abortion. Oh, wait, actually, you refuse to debate the issue at all, except to send out one of your occasional snide comments like this one, then, once again, duck behind your “I’m not going to debate the issue” cover.

    So Neal, either leave it alone or debate it. And if you debate it, debate the issues:

    1) Is Roe vs. Wade a constitutionally based decision or judicial activism?
    2) Is a federal law for or against abortion constitutional?
    3) Is a state law for or against abortion constitutional?

    Those questions are the issues behind abortion not some nebulous idea of controlling a woman’s reproductive life. Logic Neal, it’s what made you great, so use it.
    By paganposts @ 06/16/09 09:56:55 AMreport abuse
  • Fair Tax
    I'm sorry, Neal. The Repbulicans won't push this idea because they believe in all the same basic principles as teh Democrats. The Repbulicans believe in big government meddling in our lives just as the Democrats do, they just think they'd do a better job of it.

    Keep up the good work.
    By Jeff @ 06/16/09 09:47:59 AMreport abuse
  • Fair Tax Doing It's Fair Share
    Neal, Neal, Neal. While I agree w/you that the Republican party has yet to get it together they must also fight the narrow-mindeded MSM. For most people this, and the late night shows, are where most people get their information. As long as the Republican party is constantly described as "the party of rich ole white guys" few people will look beyond that to even find out what it stands for. I have a friend who can not believe I joined the Young Repulbican party in high school. Well, in Alabama at the time, guess which party was for equality and which one was racist? Not that you'd ever get anyone to believe that now. For most of my friends, "liberal" is open-minded, cool, hip, nature loving; being a "conservative" means just the opposite of how they want to be viewed. I can only talk w/them about Fair Tax because it's supported by the Libertarian Party. Most of my friends don't know what "libertarians" stand for but....doesn't it sound cool? That's what counts, right?
    By NCchik @ 06/16/09 09:47:04 AMreport abuse
  • That's one of the biggest problems.
    A lot of Americans on both sides are convinced that Conservative=Republican=Christian=White=Rich. Once we can break this stereotype I think we can start to make some progress.
    By Allen @ 06/16/09 09:45:33 AMreport abuse
  • Tea Partying
    I will be at my city's tea party on July 4th... where will you be????
    By De` @ 06/16/09 09:37:29 AMreport abuse
  • control
    For both parties, it is about control. Taxes are not so much about funding government (the government hasn't been properly funded since before WWII), but controlling the behavior of the populace and ensuring political power for the two parties. The Republicans do not want to give up power any more than the Democrats.
    By chef @ 06/16/09 09:34:40 AMreport abuse
  • One Issue Politics?
    So that one issue of not giving abortion rights would keep conservatives away from voting republican? They should be voting Libertarian not democrat.

    Really, go with who most CLOSELY matches your beliefs, you are not going to agree 100% of the time. You don't agree with your spouse 100% of the time do you?

    I can't imagine voting democrat just because of one issue.
    By Joyce M/Blythe @ 06/16/09 09:28:10 AMreport abuse
  • Why Can't Republicans Get Votes?
    Because they're a bunch of p%ssies.
    By Randy @ 06/16/09 09:21:55 AMreport abuse
  • Fairtax and Republicans
    Why won't they get behind it? Um, because they like power just as much as the Democrats?
    By Jamie @ 06/16/09 09:12:10 AMreport abuse
  • FairTax & Republicans
    I am a FairTax supporter. But I think that one of the major problems the "movement" is facing is that it misguidedly believes that it will eventually get media attention, which in turn will spawn more growth. They also seem to believe that bold Republicans looking for a winning issue will take up the cause.

    The problem with both of these ideas is that the media is clearly in the other camp. They are Statists. They would prefer to have the democrats controlling every aspect of our lives because the media believe that they can control the democrats. The last election suggests that they are occasionally correct on that point.

    I think if the FairTax is really going to take off, its backers must put their money where their mouths are. They need to put BIG BUCKS into a PR campaign. As much as Neal disparages the American Idol-People Magazine-Survivor crowd, these are the people that the movement needs to win over. And the only sure-fire way to do that is to run a spot on every game show, every soap opera, every reality show, constantly until the dumb masses are begging for it. Then, and only then, do I believe the Republicans will get fully behind it.

    In the meantime, Neal will continue to preach to the saved, the House will have the same handful of sponsors, and the Media will continue to depict the movement as Area 54 castoffs.
    By Lee @ 06/16/09 09:10:29 AMreport abuse
  • Republicans and the Fairtax
    Most Republicans will not support the Fairtax for one reason. They are control freaks just like the Dems. They want to control your life down to your last breath. The Fairtax will take away that power.
    By Rex @ 06/16/09 09:10:27 AMreport abuse
  • I'm buying your book finally. Today!
    Nice job, Boortz!

    I'd vote GOP if they adopted the Fair Tax but I'd rather see a third party get behind it so we can kiss Republicans goodbye once and for all.

    Americans were not "conned" into voting for President Hope&Change. I blame the clowns that ran the GOP. If every liberal in the country voted for Hopey McChange, that still leaves a whole lotta moderates and conservatives who wanted something other than Cheney and Bush making bad decisions.
    By Gavin Volaire @ 06/16/09 09:04:35 AMreport abuse
  • Republican Party
    The Republican's suffer from competition with a collegiate system dominated by liberal professors. The only people that make it out of college still a Republican are those that are strong enough to survive constant badgering and prejudice. Someone needs to give students the tools to survive college as a conservative.
    By Cpl Pugh @ 06/16/09 09:02:41 AMreport abuse
  • Several Points
    (1) >>>>There are a lot of conservatives, for instance, who do not feel that it is the government's role to control a woman's reproductive life. Many of them won't vote Republican until the party starts to concentrate more on governance than it does on people's personal lives.>>Why won't the Republicans get behind this? <<<< Because like the Dems, they are politicians first. Politicians have one thing in mind, to get and hold power/office. That means pandering, compromising, and selling your mother to the grave for a vote. The FairTax eliminates the lobbyists and diminishes the usefulness of a politician.
    By Club-a-Liberal @ 06/16/09 08:59:15 AMreport abuse
  • "Governance"
    Governance equates to noting more than protecting the rights of the individual according to our Constitution. The question is, when does someone qualify as an "individual". God says it's at conception. There is no other relevant opinion. Until this Nation begins to defend the innocent lives it now carelessly throws away, there will be only more and more suffering. GOD HATES the shedding of innocent blood. HE will have justice. Choose whose side you are on and you may receive MERCY.
    By Burley @ 06/16/09 08:58:01 AMreport abuse
  • Gallup Poll Horse
    Gallup Poll piece next to the fair tax horse picture!? You should be ashamed.
    By Will @ 06/16/09 08:53:39 AMreport abuse
  • Good question
    "Why can't the Republicans get votes?"

    Because they've proven their utter incompetence and inability to govern, of course.

    As for Neal's reasons--he's HALF right.

    True, the GOP has nothing going for it. They lost because the Democrats DO have something going for them... and they're proving it every day.

    Elections do indeed have deliciously satisfying consequences! (chuckle)
    By Copyleft @ 06/16/09 08:46:57 AMreport abuse
send to a friend  view as printer-friendly  RSS feeds
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement