The FairTax will not be enacted without overwhelming citizen pressure.

The answer to the strategy question of “How can the FairTax be enacted?” is both simple and hard: one Congressional district at a time with each step forward reinforcing the grassroots works of others. The larger answer is that only the full participation of the American body politic has the power to overcome the entrenched interests in Washington, D.C. that surround the income tax system. The good news–and bad news– is that the benefits of the income tax system are largely confined to those in and around Congress while the disadvantages and destructive effects of direct taxation affect the entire nation. Implicit in such strategy questions are two more fundamental questions: can the many overcome the politically powerful few and, most significantly in my view, does our form of democracy still work when the majorities’ interest requires change by the political elite? The FairTax is, seen in this light, is nothing less than a test of the fundamental promise of the Framer’s vision of a representative democracy.  

We, the people, essentially have to run over the tax lobby and all their friends in Washington, D.C. for the FairTax to see enactment. This is no small task and one that the political class largley dismisses as unrealistic. True; one cannot ever underestimate the clout this crowd will bring to bear in defense of the lucrative federal system that allows favor trading, huge profits, loophole buying/selling and the understandable social networking that this significant Washington, D.C. industry produces. Pundits, academicians, legislators, lobbyists and even tax-reform groups and think-tanks all feed off the income tax system’s workings in Washington and have –and will–resist this needed and sensible reform. The merits of a tax system that unleashes our potential for invention, competition, productivity and investment are not, alone, sufficient to win Members of Congress away from their self-interest in power and profit–and the very human element of resistance to change. Even the potential of the FairTax to solve the current economic crisis by restoring consumer confidence, allowing distressed home owners the increased take home pay to satisfy mortgage obligations and attract a predicted $10-$15 trillion of foreign investment into our economy does not trump the power and profit motives of income tax system defenders. The FairTax has already suffered attacks from this group that distort the issue for political advantage (in races from Arizona to Texas to Georgia), ignore the considerable research that has been accomplished (the President’s Advisory Panel on Tax Reform), and even, by a well-known income tax lobbyist, falsely assign the genesis of the FairTax to a religious group.

But opponents have made the mistake of underestimating the growing grassroots strength of the FairTax movement. In essence, this issue is a case in point on the distance (and disconnect) between the political class of “elites” and the citizen–because the income tax system is very “positive” for those who work it in Washington, D.C. and very “negative” for almost everyone else. In this, the political class can only continue profiting from a clearly destructive system through denial of the most fundamental tenant of our form of government–-self-rule by our citizens. To achieve the red hot “heat” necessary to overturn such self-interest, a far greater number of the public must become aware of their immediate self-interest and the harm that this system produces for them today and in the future. Only when Members of Congress face daily hectoring, the loss of voter support and imminent defeat will the FairTax go to the floor of the House. That kind of intense citizen pressure has not yet been achieved but grassroots strength is steadily growing toward that day and, in pockets of the nation, this intensity of citizen demand is being produced today. When we finally see the FairTax campaign reach the “tipping point” of such intense citizen pressure, inevitable calls from the status quo crowd–this will include both Democrats and Republicans– for a modification of the FairTax will occur. These calls will include resistance to repeal of the 16th amendment and, upon introduction, a floor amendment to allow some item–probably a food, medicine or service–to be exempted from the FairTax. It will sound eminently reasonable but through this one amendment, the door will be left open to continued Congressional mischief to pick winners and losers (to punish and reward) and lobbyist’s continued role as purveyors of influence and money.

In the case of the FairTax floor debate, supporters will have a matter of hours to raise constituent pressure to the boiling point and shut down the Congressional attempt to retain power over the tax system and the ability for self-dealing that so corrupts the system today. The mechanics of this require a large presence in Washington during debate, an e-mail network that can be quickly alerted in a call to action, and a phone and fax response that will overwhelm Congressional offices both In Washington and in home districts. The same fight will occur in the Senate.

For the Constitutional Amendment fight, the timing will be easier but the goal of winning two-thirds of the entire Congress supporting the legislation will be more difficult. Without any doubt, both Democrats and Republicans will be needed so those who want to fashion the FairTax as a Republican-only issue should really reconsider that position. The FairTax is, in my view, a citizen initiative that transcends political affiliation because to succeed, all are required and upon enactment–all benefit. In this, the same intense pressure from constituents will be needed in order to secure overwhelming bi-partisan support for passage.

Once out of the Congress, FairTaxers have little doubt that the same pressure on state legislators from a newly empowered citizenry enjoying the immediate benefits of the FairTax will produce quick results in state-by-state ratification of the Constitutional Amendment. State legislators, after all, have no stake in the profits and power surrounding the income tax system.

I often hear the question, “what guarantee is there that… (fill in the bad outcome caused by Congressional self interest)?”. Simply put, there is no guarantee that the Congress and those dependent on the profits from the buying/selling of the tax code will not work mischief. In our Republic, there has never been such a guarantee on any public policy except our Constitutionally guaranteed rights–and that is precisely why we now have a government on an unsustainable path of debt–and other failures of public policy.

The FairTax requires, as does our form of government, advanced citizenship. It is seen too rarely but through the FairTax that ethic must be restored both for the FairTax to advance–and for the promise of the Founding Fathers to be both renewed and fulfilled. The problem–and the beauty–of self-government is that if we want it–we must acheive it. Those who have come to expect that our “leaders”– or someone else–will make this happen or guarantee the policy outcome don’t truly understand the nature of a representative democracy. It’s understandable–we, as citizens, are increasingly conditioned to rely upon the statefor comfort and security, leaving us free to pursue happiness. From Hurricane Katrina’s lesson that overreliance on government is unsound to the almost daily stories of government agency waste and fraud to the sad state of our economy, life teaches us something quite different. We get the government we deserve and we’ll only get the tax system we work to produce.

Those in Washington have worked to produce something that works quite nicely–and lucratively– for them, even if destructive to the economy and our citizens. It is high time that this public policy was made to actually serve the larger public and it will require reminding the citizenry of their power and perogatives under the Constitution to acheive that goal. Hard? Yes. Worth it for far more than even a far better tax system? Yes.

A recent diary post by “FairTaxAdvocate” hardly seemed like questions posed by a supporter of the FairTax. It read a lot more like something from a DSCC staffer or campaign operative for Mr. Jim Martin–Senate challenger to Saxby Chambliss in Georgia. That’s OK because we have simple answers even for  campaign operatives.

The FairTax “Truth Rally” was held three weeks ago in Georgia precisely because we have become so frustrated with dishonest ads about the FairTax that have been used by operatives out of DC this election cycle. The timing our “advocate” questioned was as simple as that. The fact that political operatives placed almost a million dollars of dishonest ads in Georgia revealed that they had no earthly idea how knowledgeable and passionate Georgians are about the FairTax. It presented us at FairTax.org and our really strong Georgia group with a perfect “object lesson” and that’s why we came twice to Georgia from Houston to answer the lies. And by the way, people all over the country are becoming as knowledgeable and passionate about the FairTax–so please pass the word that such tactics are backfiring everywhere.

A true FairTax advocate would already know that FairTax.org did intensive media work in Michigan two years ago against a “527″ political group also placing dishonest ads–on behalf of a Republican challenger. Turns out (with considerable digging) the 527 group was funded by a DC based income tax lobbyist. Didn’t work there either. We helped design and place ads in Arizona three months ago naming the State Democratic Party chair as spreading “bull” to farmers and have spoken up everywhere we can when the FairTax is distorted for political gain. In fact, we have appeared on more than 700 talk shows in the last two years and never, ever shy away from telling the truth about the FairTax–or those who lie about it–no matter what party they come from. That’s education–not electioneering and is still protected speech under the First Amednment, thank goodness.

In this case, FairTax.org and our Georgia state organization hosted the “Truth” rally–and paid for it–and invited a number of guests including FairTax sponsor Saxby Chambliss AND challenger Jim Martin who had distanced himself from the dishonest DSCC ads but then added to newspaper, “but the ads were true”. We were disapppointed that Mr. Martin chose not to attend.  I specifically told the wildly enthusiastic audience of the need for Democrats to support the FairTax.  I said that we would never see passage until our Democratic neighbors, advocates for the poor, union members and legislators saw the truth that the FairTax will help everyone. I asked each person at the rally to reach out to their neighbors and said that this was the one issue on which we could all agree, irrespective of party loyalty. That’s how much confidence I have in the fairness of the FairTax for all–and our supporters “get it”.

The campaign operatives are missing the boat about the growing popularity of the FairTax. While we don’t endorse candidates, candidates who endorse the issue see a lot of support from the grassroots. Huck ackowledges that it made a huge difference for him in Iowa and Georgia and probably won him the first ever endorsement of a Republican Presidential candidate from the Aerospace and Sheet Metal Workers (who also endorsed a Democrat).

My speech was NOT designed as a warm up for Mr. Chambliss as charged by ”Advocate” but as a scolding for those political operatives who try to rattle the public with half-truths about the FairTax to scare up a vote or two. It was also and most importantly a rallying cry that the FairTax can save our economy by allowing distressed homeowners the dramatic take-home pay hike they need to satisfy mortgages and save their homes–without taxpayer funded bailouts. A cheering and passionate audience agreed that the FairTax is a permanent stimulus to our economy that restores consumer confidence by letting people keep their own wages without being punished for upward mobility, savings and investments. I went on to relate how leading economists now predict $10-15 trillion of foreign-held wealth flowing into the US economy upon passage of the FairTax–a far larger and healthier economic jolt for our economy than borrowing hundreds of billions from foreign nations—and our children.

I did not endorse Mr. Chambliss, as our supposed “advocate” charged but did wish aloud that Mr. Martin would recognize how much the FairTax could help those who traditionally vote Democrat. After all, it does eliminate all federal taxes on the poor, keeps union jobs here in America, lets workers take home dramatically larger paychecks and ends the loopholes and tax gimmicks that are generally only available to the rich. I said to the audience that Washington generally does not “get it” and does not want to get it because lucrative tax lobby jobs and the power of Members of Congress–of both parties–to manipulate the tax code is too dear to those inside the beltway. It’s the very reason that promises to “simplify” or overhaul the tax code are never kept.  It’s a great gig for those in DC and terrible and destructive for all the rest of us.

Real FairTaxers know that recent essays at FairTax.org have plainly stated that we have never been a Republican, Democratic, Independent or Libertarian group. We are, in truth, made up of all of the above from hometown America, fighting against the corruption of self-dealing inside Congress. Lobbying the tax code is big business in DC with hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually and pieces of the code routinely sold off for contributions, as political trading chips and as favors to the wealthy few.  With the FairTax campaign it’s hometown America (of all political stripes) versus DC (of all political stripes). We readily profess to love Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and all those who have given up on any political affiliation. We’re all hurt by this tax system. We just ask for a fair consideration of the issue and the many benefits to America.

And yes, the FairTax featured South Carolina Democratic challenger Mr. Conley and every other candidate for the FairTax on our web site during the election but stayed away from any endorsement because we know the IRS would love to drop a ton of bricks on our heads–as would a lot of political operatives representing Washington, D.C’s hunger to use the tax code to reward friends and contributors, punish enemies and manipulate citizen behavior. They are not wild about anyone pointing out that the tax code’s complexity befuddles even the IRS because it has become a patchwork quilt of ham-handed attempts at citizen behavoir modification  (like escalating food prices caused by corn/ethanol tax breaks), political favors and profit driven lobbying prizes that are contradictory and destructive to the economy.

Finally, the “advocate” claimed to have sought answers from us and rather indignantly demanded them in his diary. But he never actually tried contacting us. How about calling up FairTax.org? Our number is 1-800-FairTax (I guess that one got by him in his past “advocacy”).

My name is Ken Hoagland and I AM a FairTax advocate. I’ll be waiting for his call as I continue working to make April 15th just another spring day…

A recent diary post by “FairTaxAdvocate” hardly seemed like questions posed by a supporter of the FairTax. It read a lot more like something from a DSCC staffer or campaign operative for Mr. Jim Martin–Senate challenger to Saxby Chambliss in Georgia. That’s OK because we have simple answers even for  campaign operatives.

The FairTax Truth Rally was held three wekks ago in Georgia precisely because we have become weary of the distortion ads about the FairTax that have been used by operatives out of DC this election cycle. The timing he asked about was as simple as that. The fact that these operatives placed hundreds of thousands of dollars of dishonest ads in Georgia revealed that they had no earthly idea how knowledgeable and passionate Georgians are about the FairTax. That presented us with a perfect “object lesson” and that’s why we came twice to Georgia from Houston to answer the lies. And by the way, people all over the country are becoming as knowledgeable and passionate about the FairTax–so please pass the word that such tactics will increasingly backfire everywhere.

A true FairTax advocate would already know that FairTax.org did intensive media work in Michigan two years ago against a “527″ political group also placing dishonest ads–on behalf of a Republican challenger. Turns out the 527 group was funded by a DC tax lobbyist. Didn’t work there either. We helped design and place ads in Arizona three months ago naming the State Democratic Party chair as spreading “bull” to farmers and have spoken up everywhere we can when the FairTax is distorted for political gain. In fact, we have appeared on more than 700 talk shows in two years and never, ever shy away from telling the truth about the FairTax–or those who lie about it–no matter what party they come from. That’s education–not electioneering and is still protected speech under the First Amednment, thank goodness.

In this case, FairTax.org and our Georgia state organization hosted the “Truth” rally–and paid for it–and invited a number of guests including FairTax sponsor Saxby Chambliss AND challenger Jim Martin who had distanced himslef from the dishonest DSCC ads but then added to newspaper, “but the ads were true”. We were disapppointed that Mr. Martin chose not to attend.  I specifically told the wildly enthusiastic audience of the need for Democrats to support the FairTax.  I said that we would never see passage until our Democratic neighbors, advocates for the poor, union members and legislators saw the truth that the FairTax will help everyone. I asked each person at the rally to reach out to their neighbors and said that this was the one issue on which we could all agree, irrespective of party loyalty. That’s how much confidence I have in the fairness of the FairTax for all–and our supporters “get it”.

My speech was NOT designed as a warm up for Mr. Chambliss but as a scolding for those political operatives who try to rattle the public with half-truths about the FairTax to scare up a vote or two. It was also a rallying cry that the FairTax can save our economy by allowing distressed homeowners the significant take-home pay hike they need to satisfy mortgages and save their homes–without taxpayer funded bailouts. A cheering and passionate audience agreed that the FairTax is a permanent stimulus to our economy that restores consumer confidence by letting people keep their own wages without being punished for upward mobility. I went on to relate how leading economists predict $10-15 trillion of foreign-held wealth flowing into the US economy upon passage of the FairTax–a far larger and healthier economic jolt for our economy than borrowing hundreds of billions from foreign nations—and our children.

I did not endorse Mr. Chambliss, as our supposed “advocate” charged but did wish aloud that Mr. Martin would recognize how much the FairTax could help those who traditionally vote Democrat. After all, it does eliminate all federal taxes on the poor, keeps union jobs here in America, lets workers take home dramatically larger paychecks and ends the loopholes and tax gimmicks that are generally only available to the rich. I said to the audience that Washington generally does not “get it” and does not want to get it because lucrative tax lobby jobs and the power of Members of Congress–of both parties–to manipulate the tax code is too dear to those inside the beltway. Great gig for those in DC–terrible and destructive for all the rest of us.

Real FairTaxers know that recent essays at FairTax.org have plainly stated that we have never been a Republican, Democratic, Independent or Libertarian group. We are, in truth, made up of all of the above from hometown America, fighting against the corruption of self-dealing inside Congress. Lobbying the tax code is big business in DC with hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually and pieces of the code routinely sold off for contributions, as political trading chips and as favors to the wealthy few.  In this case, it’s hometown America of all political stripes versus DC and we readily profess to love Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and all those who have given up on any political affiliation. We’re all hurt by this tax system. We just ask for a fair consideration of the issue and the many benefits to America.

And yes, the FairTax featured South Carolina Democratic challenger Mr. Conley and every other candidate for the FairTax on our web site during the election but stayed away from any endorsement because we know the IRS would love to drop a ton of bricks on our heads–as would a lot of political operatives representing Washington, D.C’s hunger to use the tax code to reward friends and contributors, punish enemies and manipulate citizen behavior.

Finally, the “advocate” claimed to have sought answers from us and rather indignantly demanded them in his diary. But he never actually tried contacting us. How about calling up FairTax.org? Our number is 1-800-FairTax (I guess that one got by him in his past “advocacy”).

My name is Ken Hoagland and I AM a FairTax advocate. I’ll be waiting for his call as I continue working to make April 15th just another spring day…