"Tax Day 2000" Rallies!!
Our “Tax Day” rallies were a great success! Members of the local CATS Chapter handed out a total of over 3000 flyers, brochures, and cards to the last minute filers. As a result both the CATS National Office and Las Vegas Chapter have received many calls from individuals wanting information on how to become active members of CATS.
At the IRS office we were greeted, for the first time in eight years, by IRS officials curious to read the information we were handing out. Several of them seemed genuinely interested in talking with us and listened to what we had to say concerning the national retail sales tax. We were very surprised to say the least.
Thirteen local CATS members participated in the rally, most of whom were wearing their CATS "NO IRS" T-shirts. With the T-shirts we definitely have the appearance of an organized group - not some rag-tag bunch of tax protesters. We made a point of informing everyone that we were not protesting, but simply providing information regarding the most significant change in the tax system to come along in the last 87 years.
As people drove by they often honked their horns and gave us a "thumbs-up" sign. We heard many people declare their total agreement with the concept of a national retail sales tax to replace the income tax.
Local Fox 5 News conducted a televised interview which was broadcast as the lead story on the 10:00 p.m. news that evening. We do have a copy of the interview which we will show at our May meeting.
Terminate the Tax Code
In last month’s newsletter we mentioned H.R. 1041, “The Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act” and asked that you contact your Nevada Representative and ask them to vote “Yes” on this important legislation. Thank you for making the calls.
The bill was revised and the number was changed to: H.R. 4199 "The Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act", but it is essentially the same. Passing this legislation will send an important message to those in Washington and force a national debate on real tax reform.
I am pleased to announce that H.R. 4199 passed through the House of Representatives with 229 votes ‘Yea’ votes and 187 ‘Nay’ votes. Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-NV) voted ‘Yea’ and Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) voted ‘Nay’. Will the voters remember this come election time?... I know I will!!
Now the bill will go before the U.S. Senate. How will Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Richard Bryan vote on this important legislation? Your phone calls and letters can influence the outcome.
So send your letter and make a phone call now. Let Senators Reid and Bryan know exactly which way you want them to vote on “The Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act”. Don’t delay... do it today!
Senator Harry Reid
300 Las Vegas Blvd., So., Ste. 1610
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 474-0041
Email:
senator_reid@reid.senate.gov
Senator Richard Bryan
300 Las Vegas Blvd., So., Ste. 1110
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 388-6605
Email:
senator@bryan.senate.gov
Radio Free Vegas
This month we send out a special “Thank You” to the following radio stations and talk show hosts:
KNUU (K-News) 970 AM, and host Jon-David Wells. His show airs 1-4 pm Mon. thru Fri. Jon-David had me as his guest on Friday April 14, for 30 minutes.
KNUU (K-News) 970 AM, and host Frank La Spina - the “Perfectly Frank” show which airs 6-7 pm Mon. thru Fri. Frank invited CATS Spokesperson Marvin Wear to discuss CATS and the NRST for one hour on Tuesday April 18.
KDWN 720 AM and host Tru Hawkins. “The Truman Show” airs 9-11 am and Noon - 1 pm Mon. thru Fri. Almost any day of the week you will hear Tru telling his listeners about the benefits of a national retail sales tax. On “Tax Day”, April 17, I was very pleased to hear Tru read my entire piece “The Greatest Tax Scheme on Earth” on the air as I was on my way to the first rally of the day. Thanks Tru!!
Ready for Another Tea Party Yet?
"Millions of Americans will take a last look at their income tax returns today as they drop them off at the post office and see a part of the real cost of government. But only a part of the cost. The federal income-tax return leaves out the burden of property taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, state income taxes, death taxes, sin taxes, the Gore tax on your phone bill and the billions of business taxes hidden in the costs of goods and services we buy each day. And Social Security taxes cost most Americans even more than the income tax. Government will take one-third of everything we earn this year. Our founding fathers fled Europe to escape taxation levels lower than this."
- Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist,
Washington Times, 4/17/00
Worried about an IRS audit? Avoid what's called a ‘red flag’. That's something the IRS always looks for. For example, say you have some money left in your bank account after paying your taxes. That's a ‘red flag’. (Jay Leno)
“The Sting”
Did you ever see the movie called “The Sting” starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman? The title refers to a complex con game in which a large amount of money is stolen from an unsuspecting victim. And in the end he doesn’t even realize the entire thing was just a con game. When I saw the movie I remember thinking “The Sting” had to be the “Greatest Con Game on Earth”. Well, maybe there’s a better one!
Enclosed in this month’s newsletter is a piece I wrote on April 14, 2000 in a moment of inspiration/desperation entitled: "The Greatest Tax Scheme on Earth". I hope you find it both educational and entertaining.
If you like it, I ask that you make copies and distribute them far and wide. Feel free to copy and email, mail, fax, etc., and send to all your friends, family, Members of Congress, or to anyone; anywhere and everywhere you please.
The purpose of the article is only to inform and inspire, and perhaps inject a small amount of humor into and shed some light onto an otherwise dull, confusing subject: Taxes.
You are welcome to contact me with your comments, ideas or suggestions.
Thank you.
Bracken
Chairman, CATS Las Vegas Chapter
P.S. Remember, this is an all-volunteer, grassroots movement, and as such, our goal of a simple, fair tax system will only come about as a direct result of what you and I do at the grassroots level. So please make many copies of the enclosed flyer. Give them out to everyone you come in contact with. Do your part!
