More promises to be broken.

Your views

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LETTER

I would like to respond to Saturday's letter by Mike Parker ("Fair tax is unconstitutional and won't save money"): Mr. Parker either has not read "The Fair Tax Book" by U.S. Rep. John Linder and Neal Boortz, doesn't understand what he read, or he has been grossly misinformed. The tax you now pay is unconstitutional.

The fair tax replaces the way we are presently taxed. It is a voluntary consumption tax; the more you buy the more tax you pay, verses the less consumer goods you buy the less tax you pay.

The Fair Tax would:

1. Abolish the IRS.

2. Close all tax loopholes and brings fairness to taxation.

3. Maintain our current Social Security and Medicare benefits.

4. Bring transparency and accountability to tax policy.

5. Allow American products to compete fairly.

6. Reimburse the tax on purchases of basic necessities.

7. Enable retirees to keep their entire pension.

8. Enable workers to keep their entire paycheck.

Yes, the Fair Tax would eliminate the IRS. The Fair Tax violates nothing. I guess Mr. Parker thinks we do not pay tariffs on imported goods now.

The Fair Tax in no way increases the upfront amount consumers pay in taxes, as Mr. Parker suggests. This 23 percent consumption tax is not in addition to any tax already on any product, as he would have you believe. Read the book and check it out.

Under the Fair Tax, a $20,000 Toyota would cost you $4,600 in taxes, which is 23 percent, and not the $9,200 Mr. Parker suggests, which would be double the 23 percent.

It appears Mr. Parker likes paying the first 4 1/2 months of his income to the federal government. The Union you speak of will in no way be affected negatively. However, the United States will experience a growth in jobs and industry as has never in history been seen.

Paul S. Barnes

Flowery Branch