gross national hapiness index

[Jester]

But... All of this is why I liked Cain's plan for a national sales tax. You really can't jack up the investment tax to the income tax level without harming new venture investment in the US. You can't lower the income taxes to the investment level without skyrocketing the deficit. You can attempt to lower the cost of government through wise choices on services, but there is a point when the pain is unbearable. Cain's idea was to lower income taxes (to 9% flat), and investment taxes(to 9%) flat, and make up the difference with a 9% federal sales tax. It makes a good sound bite, and I'm pretty sure it was unworkable at those rates. But even a 15 - 15 - 5 plan would bring parity to income derived from work with income derived from investments. I like consumption side taxes rather than production side taxes as it encourages savings and investments, and discourages excess consumption.

And how would this tax not be sharply regressive, compared with what is currently in place?

-Jester