The US Needs a VAT

"One reason that free trade produces persistent deficits for us is that other countries are not free traders. If other countries subsidize exports and charge imports, but we do not, the result is a predictable trade imbalance. Unless we neutralize their action through some sort of countervailing action, to return to balance." - Stumo (TradeReform.org)

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Taxes
• Tax
• Value Added Tax
• Obama
• China
• NAFTA
• WTO
• World Trade Organization
• free trade
• economic crisis
• economy in crisis

[ToxicOdiousOne]

Right Article I Section 8 and the Sixteenth Amendment give the federal government the power to tax. The federal government cannot with an ammendment to the Cobstitution force us into economic activity or institute a national sales tax. Amendments to the Constitution would be needed to codify such exceptions.

[economyincrisis]

@ToxicOdiousOne I guess we'll just have to keep pushing and let the government decide. As previously stated, we would rather see tariffs, but most Americans and our current treaties are against protectionist measures. A VAT is the only recourse we have left, other than isolationism which would be bad for everyone.

A VAT would mean jobs, as would tariffs. Either would bring jobs back to the U.S.

[ToxicOdiousOne]

The power to tax is absolute? Government does not have absolute power over our lives. It's a republic not a Cuban dictatorship.

[economyincrisis]

@ToxicOdiousOne Not only did you not read the Constitution, you didn't read what I said.

"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States"

"No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken."

[ToxicOdiousOne]

Congress does have power to tax. It does. Sales tax is a state power. The federal govenment cannot usurp state power. Federalism always disreguards the tenth amendment. The states regulate insurance and sales tax. This is another unconstitutional power grab by the federal government. It will be challenged in the Supreme Court.

[economyincrisis]

@ToxicOdiousOne You need to use that public education and read more. You seem to be simply quoting the lies the Tea Party is spreading. I've posted the Constitution - it is very clear as to the how and the exception. If you don't believe the Constitution, I can't help you. Good luck to you.

[ToxicOdiousOne]

@economyincrisis Let the government decide? Why? If we let them decide they will tax us into debt becuase they can. What do they care if taxes exceed income? They don't care. They don't care about limits on government or the Constitution. If we are at their mercy our republic is finished, gone, and destroyed. We must bow down to our leaders? They work for us. We don't work for them.

[ToxicOdiousOne]

I am a paralegal graduate. I think I am familiar with the Constitution more than most.

[ToxicOdiousOne]

I believe in the Constitution. Obama and cohorts want massive federalization ignoring the tenth amendment. Nationalizing industry, forcing us into economic activity, a now usurping state sales tax power. The only reason we are required to pay tax to the federal government is the sixteenth amendment passed in 1913 under Wilson.

[ToxicOdiousOne]

Sales tax is a state power not a federal power. Sales tax is a tenth amendment issue. I understand the Constitution. A national sales tax would be unconstitutional because they would usurp the power of the states. It does not matter that they have the power to tax. They have no power to institute a national sales tax.