Join our Online Group!Motorcyclists Promote Fair Tax
February 9, 2009 by Charlie
Filed under About the FairTax
From Motorcyclist treks across state to push tax change
Motorcyclist treks across state to push tax change
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-NEWS
Mike McLean is riding across North Carolina to promote the Fair Tax.By James Shea
Times-News Staff WriterMike McLean is riding for a cause. The Henderson County resident, along with a few other motorcycle enthusiasts, is riding from Horse Shoe to Cornelius today, hoping to raise awareness for the fair tax proposal.
The fair tax would eliminate the income tax, including Medicare and Social Security, and replace it with a single sales tax. The idea is to get away from the complicated tax structure and the Internal Revenue Service and focus all tax on consumption.
“It is a fair tax, because you are in control of the amount of tax you pay based on spending,” McLean said.
The sales tax rate would have to be 23 percent to replace the revenue to the federal government, McLean said.
The tax has gained some momentum in recent years. Locally, former Republican 11th Congressional District candidate Carl Mumpower of Asheville supported the proposal, and McLean says 72 current members of Congress support the fair tax.
A fair tax bill has been introduced into the Senate and House. In the House, the bill is sponsored by Georgia Rep. John Linder and has 44 co-sponsors. The Senate version is sponsored by Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss and has three co-sponsors.
“It does not change how government is run, but how taxes are collected,” McLean said.
Others, however, are not convinced. Some economists argue that the tax would radically transform the American economy. People would spend less money, knowing a tax was collected each time something is purchased.
McLean has heard the argument but is not convinced. The fair tax, he said, eliminates political influence on tax policy. Special interest groups cannot influence who pays taxes and how much they pay because taxes are only based on buying items.
“If you study it, there is no better alternative,” McLean said.
Saturday’s ride starts at Pigeon River Rustics in Horse Shoe at 9 a.m. Motorcycle riders pay $15 to ride, and the money goes to support the fair tax cause. The ride ends at a rally in Cornelius.
“It’s an educational event,” McLean said.
Saturday’s event begins a series of rides to promote the fair tax in 2008. Seven rides of varying distances are planned. The next event is April 15 and starts in Horse Shoe and riders travel to Columbia, S.C,, where former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is scheduled to speak.
“Our whole idea is to move it to the grassroots level,” McLean said.
For more information, visit grassrootsfreedomride.com.
