An Open Letter to Senator Lamar Alexander

Dear Senator Alexander,

I read your "Flat Tax" announcement and I have a few questions. But before I get to that, I want to look at a few key statistics about the state of our country since you went to Washington:

- Almost 6 years in office
- More than 4,034 Americans killed in Iraq and 29,628 wounded
- $9 Trillion in debt loaded onto our children and grandchildren
- Mortgages being foreclosed upon across America
- Gas prices stuck at more than $3 a gallon
- Almost 6 years of blind support for the failed policies of George Bush
- Almost 6 years of silence and benign neglect on health care, education, the economy and energy prices

What a record! And now, in an election year, you propose a sweeping overhaul of the entire tax code via a press release as most Americans file their tax returns.

Perhaps you have been saving yourself for this moment.

Perhaps you have spent six years drafting this sweeping proposal and, only by coincidence, did you get finished with it on Tax Day of an election year.

Senator Alexander, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm hoping that this is not a tawdry political stunt.

To put this perception to rest, I propose that you show us your budget for your new tax plan.

Show us how you fund our troops, care for our veterans, fully fund a sensible GI Bill and pay down the massive debt you've run up.

Show us how you will protect Social Security and Medicare.

Show us how the thousands Tennessee families keep homeowner exemptions at tax time.

Tell us what you would cut. Education? Health care? Social Security? Homeland Security? Student Loans? Corporate welfare for big oil companies?

Senator Alexander this is your chance to put me in my place. Prove to me this isn't an election year gimmick.

Better yet, let's schedule a public meeting to discuss it. Bring your plan. We will invite the media and have a calm chat about your plan.

I'm calling your bluff. I want to see your hole card.

Respectfully,

Bob Tuke

www.TukeForTennessee.com

Comments

[libertron]

Sir: So what if he proposed it on Tax Day in an election year, so that maybe people will remember his name when they go to vote? That's what we have elections for, so people can vote for a candidate with ideas they like. IMO, the flat tax is a great idea.

[dadw5boys]

IGNOR LAWMAR ALEXANDER HE IS PART OF THE GOOD OLDE BOYS NETWORK LIKE G.W. BUSH!!!!

HE HAS BEEN THE ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN OLDE TIME POLITICO'S WHO IS ALWAYS THERE IF THEY HAVE THE MONEY!!!!!

[jason10006]

Well, I for one am against a flat tax and for progessive income taxes - HOWEVER, its a lie to say that they could not work, since several countries have instituted them and have not gone bankrupt - and in some cases, their tax reciepts went up markedly. If you set the flat tax high enough - and higher than Lamar and Steve Forbes would have you believe - it would be revenue neutral. Say 22% or so. Problem is they purposely tell you a lower rate one to intice voters and two because they hope the tax cut would force spending cuts.

[paixa3]

hell, 22 percent is less than I pay.....I will take it.

[libertron]

And, don't forget, the standard deduction in Steve Forbes' plan is way higher than now, so people with lower incomes would pay way less than 22%

[Binx101]

This is a most fascinating proposal. Perhaps he'll respond.

In any case ... it would be a great discussion if it were to actually occur. Alas, if this isn't an election year, tax time - tawdry stunt - we'll be ordering Furnaces from China to cool off hell.

We hope to write about your letter and his reply since we have family and friends in Tennessee.

The Almost Daily Binx
www.binx101.wordpress.com

[jgiddyup]

While I can't vote for you Mr. Tukes I hope your message gets out.

At least the little I know from this Blog.

[JBS]

It's NOT a flat tax, it's a tax on wages.

UNEARNED income would not be taxed at all.

[johnwcowan]

Indeed, this is the key point. Taxing people on wages = punishing people for working hard at important jobs. Likewise, taxing capital gains (on real capital, that is) punishes people for taking risks.

What we need to tax people on is the value of the natural resources they own.

[mommadona]

It is an Edsel waiting to happen.

It is "floats all boats" (well, look at that muddy bottom our economy's about to hit).

Great on paper - Lousy on the community.

Republicans live linearally on paper - big ol' blinders on those rosy-colored glasses.

How's the pothole percentage on YOUR local highway?

[Mack20]

As usual, momma, your negative liberalism shines through. Democrats pray daily to the global warming idol for bad economic news. Their willing accomplices in the media are more than happy to report the bad and ignore the good concerning our economy, the War and our country. As a business to business sales rep, I am having the best year since the Reagan days. It's all about attitude so I hope you sad liberals keep yourselves in the mud with your shit stained glasses. And by the way, we don't have potholes on our roads here in Tennessee. Professional truckers say we have some of the best maintained highways in the country. Plus it's free to travel the roads in our state. Strange how the liberal blue states of the northeast have toll roads full of potholes.

[PerryWhite]

"Show us how the thousands Tennessee families keep homeowner exemptions at tax time."

Sen. Alexander's plan is an optional return for the federal personal income tax. What does that have to do with Tennessee homeowner exemptions?

[dadw5boys]

We don't have any home owners exemptions in Tennessee!!!!!!!!!!

[Nutcase]

I am sorry to say that, as a resident of Tennessee, I am one of Lamar's constituents. However, I did my graduate studies in international relations and international economics. I think I understand Lamar well enough to assure you that this is not an election-year stunt.

These people really believe such nonsense. They believe it because it fits so nicely with an ideology simple enough for them to think that they have grasped it. It is such a simplistic and simple-minded ideology that it doesn't allow for such variables as human beings and the realities real people have to deal with.

These people are left with nothing but this simplistic nonsense because they can't do the math. They can't deal with the complexities of the real world. This ideology is perfect for the clueless, the witless, the little children running around in adult bodies. The proper response to these cretins should be to demand that they grow up. The problem is that they are either incapable of growing up or too frightened of such a prospect.

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"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." Benito Mussolini

[EspritDeVoltaire]

Well stated, the flat tax is as ludicrous as the trickle down theory and Reaganomics. However, you are correct in that these people apparently believe their own BS as much as we realize its complete idiocy.

[Mack20]

I believe what you are trying to say in your typical, less than honest, liberal speak is you hate the idea of a flat tax. Reason being is the usual democratic position of a rich vs. poor division via the tax code will be eliminated. The result is less power for you government loving radicals. Plus a lot of idiotic IRS employees will have to find real jobs. Finally, old Took wants to protect all his liberal tax suing lawyer pals. NICE!

[Nutcase]

Thank you for being the perfect example of my point. You make no argument in support of the insupportable. You offer only several ad hominem attacks.

The wealthy get far more benefits from the government; whether it is the air transport system, agricultural subsidies, weather services, etc., etc. They already pay less tax on capital gains than the poor pay on their wages.

It is a poorly disguised attempt by the wealthy to rip off the poor and middle class. However poorly disguised, it is sufficient to appeal to those too ignorant to see through the facade. To which group do you belong?

Ich denke, folglich bin ich ein Populist.

[desmirl]

The flat tax and the 'fair tax' proposals are nothing more than efforts by the moneyed interests to further reduce their tax burdens. The problem is, some who would be the most affected by these insane grabs for money and power (the working poor) are the ones who will grab the bait, swallow the line, and vote for proposals which would further impoverish them.

[hopeless277]

Seeing that 80% of the population in this country has no representation AT ALL, I'd like to see what our lovely freinds in DC would do if we just STOPPED PAYING TAXES ALTOGETHER. Let congress cut their own health care, free food, free travel, free postage, free staff, free office.

[JBS]

You don't get a choice. The system is rigged so taxes on wages are taken out BEFORE you get your paycheck.

It's the people with UNEARNED income who get to choose whether or not they're going to pay taxes, and the Bush administration has gutted IRS enforcement against rich tax cheats.

[drkazmd65]

Yep,... even if I wanted to stop the Feds from taking my wage payroll taxes, so that I could invest them and pay them at the end of the year (after my short-term CD profits are taken) - they would never bite.

That is exactly what they are doing with my FICA while they are holding it for me until after April 15. They don't want to cut me a share of the action.

[timm0]

Every repug "flat tax" proposal I've seen has been a back door for eliminating the Alternate Minimum and Capital Gains taxes. The AMT is removed by definition and capital gains are not considered "income," making it completely exempt.

In other words, a huge tax cut for the wealthiest of the country - especially CEOs paid in options and stocks. In fact, I'd be shocked if CEOs under a repug flat tax plan don't demand to be paid ENTIRELY in stocks and options so that they don't have to pay any taxes at all.

So prepare for that, Mr. Tuke - and best of luck to you!

[dadw5boys]

SALE THE STOCKS OVERSEAS AND BANK THE MONEY OFFSHORE YOU PAY NO TAX PERIOD.

[Mack20]

Gibson made a valid point last night with the fact that tax cuts on capital gains have historically resulted in increased revenue. That's basic economics people. You demorats spent too much time in the liberal arts and education departments while we conservatives were in the college of business. Let me know if you need a review of these principals: lower taxes result in higher revenues.

[Henry]

Robert,
While you are at it, you should also invite Huckabee with his proposal of the "consumption tax" as opposed to the income tax.
I would be very interested in this debate. And no prejudgements. If they can make the case, good for them.

[scepticalobserver]

This is only an opinion, but the consumption tax has been floated before and it has a major drawback.
If you don't have enough money to stash some in a bank account, you are using 100% of your income to consume.
On the other hand you have millions, you're using a pittance on consumption and it looks really great from on high. If I was rich it would be my choice too.
You also have no deductions. Some people would have some monies returned to them by the govt,, but they get to decide who gets what and how much.
Of course, if they feel that their need is greater than yours, say during a war in the Middle East, you wouldn't get quite as much back. ( maybe even nothing if their need is really, really great, say when we're 9trillion dollars in debt.
Corporations don't consume, only consumers do.
Just my opinion.