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VAT's Next? Obama's Expensive Agenda Means Tax Increases All Around

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You want things to be more and more expensive,
FINE DONT DO NOTHING. but not only will you kill the economy and its resources, it will kill HUMAN RESOURCES AS WELL. because people will start leaving the country, i will i cant stand the stupid californian taxes, and imagine if i get a 10 percent in top of that.
HELL NO! im outta here, i go to mexico or whatever.

alvadore of GA 8:33PM October 13, 2009

Americans are fooling themselves if they don't believe that a VAT TAX has been Obama's plan all along. Why else would anyone, spend, spend and spend more money than they have. If he can create yet another crisis, he will go to Americans and say "we need this VAT TAX to save our economy" Than he will promise that the middle and lower class will get credits so they really won't be paying the VAT TAX. In reality, it may start out that way but as we all know once it's in place, they can always ammend it. Just like our income taxes, they can raise it anytime they want. Watch, they will reduce those credits given to the poor as they go along, and just like Europe, they will incrimentally raise the VAT TAX percentage due yearly. This will crush our economy. As a democrat, this guy is nuts and not the hope and change we voted for.

Ryan of MD 10:06PM October 07, 2009

The US economy is 70% based on consumer spending. A VAT on top of our current tax system will crush economic growth. The Democrats truly are economically illiterate or completely insane.

nh moderate of NH 9:25PM July 07, 2009

Remember, VALUE ADDED tax means anytime the product gains value it is taxed. Bauite to aluminum, taxed. Aluminum to aluminum sheets, taxed. Aluminum sheets to cans, taxed. The way around it is a vertical production system. As long as one company does each step, it does not "sell" the interim product, so it is not incrementally taxed. This would crumble the horizontal structure of Silicon Valley, where everybody has a niche to fill. Taxed each time. That is why a small increase in the tax rate reaps so much more for the Government.

Don of CA 5:40PM July 06, 2009

Remember We all have to sacrifice.This is just another tax on top of the taxes that we already pay. How else are we suppossed to pay for all the bail outs and such?
Cut spending? You're Kidding Right. Increase Spending is this governments calling card.
It's too late for all these good iedeas anyway,because the people of this great country already decided what they want from the government back on that fatefull tuesday in Nov.2008.The majority of Americans cast their vote for the greatest money/power grab in History.They told you what they wanted to do,and you voted for them anyway. The only ones that have to fear are people with money and a job,everyone else will get a free ride while working "joes" pay the for the ticket. Remember We all have to make sacrifices. John

John M. Chew of VA 3:34PM July 02, 2009

An implementation of a VAT within the US has the potential to eliminate the majority of the IRS. Long gone are tax courts, 1040s and the entire tax industry. No more tax loopholes for the uber-rich.
With un-prepared food specifically excluded from VAT, the lower-incomes would not be unfairly burdened.

Aaron Harrison of TX 3:20PM July 02, 2009

AN OPEN LETTTER TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY
How would you like to give the US Government an extra 25%, each time you spend any money for goods or services? Well, that’s what about to happen, if we don’t band together against this new proposed federal tax. The tax is being discussed as a “Value Added Tax” (VAT). The tax is similar to the tax charged through out the European Countries.
You will be charged for all services and goods bought, including gasoline and doctors visits.
We are asking that you do two things.
1. Please call your US Representatives and Senators and plead with them not to vote for the “VAT”
2. Please pass this note on to all your friends and ask them to also contact their US Representatives and Senators and earge them not to vote on the proposed “VAT”
It is very crucial that this “VAT” be defeated. In these hard economic times, it will be the down fall of the US, as we now know it.
Thanks
C.A.T. ( Citizens Against Tax)

Charles of AL 10:19AM July 02, 2009

Nor is a VAT hidden. In fact it is hte opposite of hidden
Look North my American friends, the GST in Canada is not a hidden tax. In fact the GST replaced the hidden sales tax that was cumbersome and was a cost to business and especially put Canadian exports at a disadvantage. The GST changed all of that. After almost 20 years the GST in Canada has also resulted in a lowering of personal income taxes (lowering not elimination) and a drastic lowering of corporate income tax rates. Canada's plan is to have a corporate tax rate of 15% in the next few years.
The GST has made Canadian exports competitive in world markets, not just more competitive in the US (everyone's goods are more competitive in the US except US goods) as well as other GST / VAT jurisdictions, namely China.
By lowering income taxes working people end up with more money in their pockets and more money they can bank and save. When they do go shopping and they want to splurge on some non-necessity items they will be taxed. If I buy a Ford Hybrid under a certain engine size maybe I won't pay the VAT on that car, or I'll pay a lower VAT. If I buy the Hyundai Genesis (#1 rated car last year) I"ll pay the full VAT on that car.
If I opt to take the public transportation, ie bus, train or taxi's then I am quite likely not to have to pay any VAT as these items are exempted from VAT in most jurisdictions.
Basic food / groceries, childrens footwear and clothing, health and education, mass domestic transportation, residential real estate (rentals and sales) are also out of the GST / VAT net in many countries.
A VAT will make US goods more competitive in both their home markets and abroad. A VAT also has the potential to lower US coprorate taxes to be some of the most competitive in the world (see Canada, Ireland, Singapore, HK for the leading low tax jurisdictions).
The US has nothing to fear but fear itself.

Peter Devlin 12:44AM July 02, 2009

Not a problem, lower spending - tell me what program that benefits you and yours that you are willing to cut to $0. It is easy to say you want to cut spending but when it comes down to it nobody wants to cut spending that benefits them. So cut spending and lower taxes (but only after the spending cuts have been in effect for a year or two. Just to make sure they stick).
Cut spending and raise taxes to dig out of the debt hole we are in.
Or you can pick one of my earlier choices. But you didn't answer my question. Which is more honest, since those are the choices we have been presented with recently.

Paul of MD 8:43PM July 01, 2009

"Tell me, what is more honest: increasing spending and increasing taxes or increasing spending and mortgaging our future by borrowing from China (all the while proclaiming you are for small government)?"
Can't we have a third choice - not to increase spending? Or is that not allowed? Is this either/or, or can it be multiple choice?

Rich of CO 6:21PM July 01, 2009