Ron Paul on US Constitution
Was Ron Paul the only Republican Presidential candidate to mention the US Constitution tonight? I think he was. If so, it's disappointing.
I think my favorite exchange of the night:
Chris Mathews: Would you work to phase out the IRS?
Rep. Ron Paul: Immediately.
Tim White
Tim White
2 comments:
War funding aside (for the current fiasco at least), I'm happy to fork over a good chunk of my pay to the IRS. Okay, well maybe happy isn't the right word, but I do respect the process and understand what I get in return. The same goes for any local taxes.
I attended public schools and now I work for a state school. The FDA helps keep an eye on what I put in my body, and that's good because I haven't time to read through the pharma research or examine spinich crops (although I do give the greens a good wash). I also enjoy breathing, and as such I extend a good-sized thank-you to the EPA.
The list goes on, but you get the idea...
I get the idea... and we're not necessarily so different. Here's my view on taxation and the IRS...
Government serves some good and necessary functions. And I'm comfortable paying taxes. However...
I'd prefer a (non-regressive) sales tax over an income tax because:
1) you have a say in whether you pay the tax and
2) I don't like filling out my income tax form every year.
Having said that, compromise is always necessary in America. And the 16th amendment is not about to be repealed by the Congress and 38 states anytime soon.
So working within that context, I see two main issues with the IRCode, both of which are ripe for debate:
1) the philosophical argument of progressive rates vs. one flat rate, and much more importantly
2) the countless loopholes offered to special interests.
I think the democratic congress would be well-served to work with the President over the next 18 mos in an effort to close the loopholes in the IRCode... In doing so, we could also probably reduce the size and cost of the IRS, while still providing people with the same services.
So is the IRS about to be eliminated? no, I don't think so.
But I think closing the loopholes would both be in the best interests of the American people and greatly reduce the size of it.
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