Constitutional Convention Results
Thank you all for helping us define what we all want the FWB Tea Party to be over the coming years. A lot of people helped decide this together at our 5/25 meeting and I think we should all be proud of the progress. Almost all Tea Party groups have only a single person directing activities or a small group that runs the show. We have actually reached a point where 60+ people actively participated and voted on these following items:
Core Principles (Passed unanimously on 5/25/10)
Mission Statement (Passed unanimously on 5/25/10)
Objectives (Passed unanimously on 5/25/10)
Organizational Structure (Tabled until 6/8/10 Meeting)
Actions (Not taken up by FWB Tea Party)
Bylaws (To be written and presented by new elected leaders when elections take place, likely July)
Greetings FWB TEA Party Patriots,
I wanted to write and tell you that I applaud your efforts to organize and standardize your association through your adoption of a mission statement and core principles. Such documentation will be necessary to your growth and sustainment just as our Constitution was meant to be for our nation.
I also want to respectfully suggest a reconsideration in the future of one of your principles, that being, “Keep taxes low enough to facilitate economic growth.” Here is my point – economic growth was accomplished, and sometimes exceptionally well, throughout most of the 20th and 21st centuries with marginal tax rates as high as 94%! In addition to such high income tax rates from which we gained little relief until the Reagan Presidency, we have also sustained substantial economic growth with additional complementing taxes that include payroll taxes, corporate taxes, estate taxes, gift taxes and many, many more taxes embedded in the goods and services Americans have purchased over the same period. You may also say the same of state and other municipal taxes all of which existed during periods of reasonable economic growth. Therefore, the principle may be arguably recognized has having been achieved though we know this is not what we are seeking in terms of tax relief.
I wish to make the following recommendation as a more appropriate principle for your consideration, “Seek the implementation of tax laws at every level of government that are simple, fair, neutral, visible, stable, efficient, and foster economic growth.” These are the elements identified by numerous researchers as key to efficient, productive and cost effective tax systems.
“Simple” means readily understood by those upon whom it is applied and by those who administer and enforce the laws. “Fair” means both horizontally and vertically equitable wherein those with similar circumstances are taxed the same (horizontal equitability) while those with the means to do so pay more taxes (progressivity and vertical equitability). “Neutral” means applied without interfering with the economic choices of individuals, businesses and corporations. “Visible” means that with each tax payment we know how much government affects our economic lives and exactly how much tax we are paying. “Stable” implies that the system requires infrequent changes and when such changes are made it is obvious to the taxpayer (visible). “Efficient” means that it is structured, administered and enforced with maximized cost-effectiveness, eliminating the process today in which Americans “pay (in time and money) to pay their taxes”. Lastly, “Fosters Economic Growth” by lifting the burden of taxation on investment, businesses and corporations that stymies our economy and gives the advantage to foreign corporations. The recommended principle is a more definitive statement from which objectives may be developed and measureable goals may be used to identify our progress towards achievement of the objectives.
The first objective I would recommend under this principle is, Repeal the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. By repealing this amendment, you will restore the intent of the Founding Fathers with regard to taxing the people and eliminate Congress’ absolute power to seize up to 100% of your income from whatever source you may have obtained it. It will once again force taxation back to consumption-based taxing which can provide through a national sales tax the achievement of all 7 elements in the principle I have recommended to you. Conforming state and municipal tax systems with the national sales tax will also provide compliance with the principle at all levels of government.
I will pray for the FWB TEA Party’s continued success in restoring and maintaining our rights and freedom.
Best Regards,
Kerry Bowers
Florida FairTax Educational Association