Sales taxes are visible. They are added to the purchase price of the product at the time of sale so that the buyer sees them. Inventory taxes, or value added taxes, are hidden in that they become part of the cost of the material that becomes the retail sale item. These taxes are marked up with the profit margin and then taxed again when the final sale is made.

By revoking taxes on anything except income, we would immediately see just how much money is going to taxes, and we would also greatly reduce the cost of producing goods. To insure the fairest prices, we would allow an “Excess Profits Tax” to be placed on profits above a predetermined net fair profit margin. To insure against ridiculous salaries for top executives, we could set a maximum differential between minimum wage and maximum wage in any company. Any wages above the maximum would not be accountable as costs but must be considered as profits subject to the excess profits tax. This would not prevent these huge salaries from being paid. It would simply prevent them from being considered as legitimate business expenses and therefore costs.

There is always going to be a proponent of “targeted” taxes for a special purpose. It is sometimes very difficult to see that these taxes hurt all of us because they increase the cost of something that we desire. An example is a “road use tax” assessed on trucks because trucks increase the maintenance costs of roadways. So let’s just tax trucks to pay these costs. But it doesn’t really work that way. The “truck taxes” are incorporated into the costs of the goods that are transported and we pay it in higher prices.

You might find that a flat income tax with a single exemption which should, in my opinion be equal to the minimum wage or the Social Security “retirement benefit” which should be the same amount would allow people enough discretion for them to choose the environmentally sound product.

In any event, products manufactured in the U. S. without the imposition of taxes, would greatly improve our export position.

Sales taxes are visible. They are added to the purchase price of the product at the time of sale so that the buyer sees them. Inventory taxes, or value added taxes, are hidden in that they become part of the cost of the material that becomes the retail sale item. These taxes are marked up with the profit margin and then taxed again when the final sale is made.

By revoking taxes on anything except income, we would immediately see just how much money is going to taxes, and we would also greatly reduce the cost of producing goods. To insure the fairest prices, we would allow an “Excess Profits Tax” to be placed on profits above a predetermined net fair profit margin. To insure against ridiculous salaries for top executives, we could set a maximum differential between minimum wage and maximum wage in any company. Any wages above the maximum would not be accountable as costs but must be considered as profits subject to the excess profits tax. This would not prevent these huge salaries from being paid. It would simply prevent them from being considered as legitimate business expenses and therefore costs.

There is always going to be a proponent of “targeted” taxes for a special purpose. It is sometimes very difficult to see that these taxes hurt all of us because they increase the cost of something that we desire. An example is a “road use tax” assessed on trucks because trucks increase the maintenance costs of roadways. So let’s just tax trucks to pay these costs. But it doesn’t really work that way. The “truck taxes” are incorporated into the costs of the goods that are transported and we pay it in higher prices.

You might find that a flat income tax with a single exemption which should, in my opinion be equal to the minimum wage or the Social Security “retirement benefit” which should be the same amount would allow people enough discretion for them to choose the environmentally sound product.

In any event, products manufactured in the U. S. without the imposition of taxes, would greatly improve our export position.

in the system, IMHO, and I’d like to see a portion of the income tax and/or payroll tax shifted to the gas tax.

Think about it, a higher gas tax (and lower income/payroll tax) would:

1) discourage wasteful driving

2) encourage fuel efficiency

3) encourage mass transit

4) encourage employment (more bring-home pay)

5) result in less power to (and therefore, fear of) the IRS

5) enable fair ways for the taxed to minimize their tax rate (e.g. walk, ride bike, live closer to work,

etc.)

I realize this would have a cascade effect of making all consumer goods cost more, but everyone would have more money in their paychecks to afford it.

in the system, IMHO, and I’d like to see a portion of the income tax and/or payroll tax shifted to the gas tax.

Think about it, a higher gas tax (and lower income/payroll tax) would:

1) discourage wasteful driving

2) encourage fuel efficiency

3) encourage mass transit

4) encourage employment (more bring-home pay)

5) result in less power to (and therefore, fear of) the IRS

5) enable fair ways for the taxed to minimize their tax rate (e.g. walk, ride bike, live closer to work,

etc.)

I realize this would have a cascade effect of making all consumer goods cost more, but everyone would have more money in their paychecks to afford it.