CATS E-Briefing
Citizens for an Alternative Tax System
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #423
Washington, DC 20006
800-767-7577
email: catsinfo@aol.com
www.cats.org
Washington, DC: Monday 15 July, 2002
To: CATS Network:
Did you hear the latest Pew poll results? The question was: Do you think President Bush is doing all he can about the economy? In January, the results to the same question were even; 50% yes and 50% no. As of July the margin is running 2 votes "No" for every one vote "Yes".
It is time to communicate to the President - again - about the importance of confronting the anchor around our economic necks known as the income tax code. He could change the polls dramatically by leading the attack on this very real problem, as opposed to feeding the frenzy of outrage aimed at corporate America.
The truth is, a President or government official cannot create an economy. Both are dependent on our productive capacity. The economy is the result of successful enterprises, where talented labor and sufficient capital come together around a good idea to produce a product or service that meets the needs of our neighbors. It is production and exchange that creates wealth. Value is determined by the buyer of the good or service, i.e. what they will voluntarily pay.
This is an important point to you and me! We spend lots of hours, and ideas and emotions trying to work the best result for ourselves and others in this economic game. Eliminating the income tax code removes the rotten political apple, the dead weight burden, the perverse incentives, the wasted time and energy, out of the equation. Give yourself a break!
In a recent video interview, Rep. Jim DeMint (R-SC) stated: "The money for the war has to come from successful enterprises and we are really burdening them with our tax system, as well as our regulation. I think things are coming to a head and that it is going to happen because it has to happen. More and more people are seeing this as a drag on the economy and on our way of life. And as that sentiment grows, your voice (CATS Members) will be more and more amplified."
Action Item: Go to the CATS web site and click on the picture of the President, which will take you to a location where you can conveniently send an e-mail directly to the President. Encourage him to speak out in favor of fundamental tax reform and to mention bills like HR 4716 - the "Scrap the Code Bill" that sunsets the income tax code on December 31, 2005.
Thank you,
Glenn Wahlquist
CATS National Office
P.S. If you do not have Internet access, you may contact President Bush at:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone: 202-456-1414
Corporate Rip-offs
Government Rip-offs
Every day we hear in the news about corporate rip-offs, and scams. Our government is pushing through legislation to create stiffer penalties for corporate executives convicted of crimes. The government is asking corporations to adhere to higher ethics standards, i.e. to be more honest and accountable for their actions. That is a good idea. I totally agree.
People all across the United States are calling and writing their Senators and Representatives demanding that something be done about this.
But, what about the government itself? Should those in government adhere to higher standards of ethical conduct? Shouldn't government officials have stiff penalties when convicted of crimes? Why aren't our elected officials more honest and accountable for their actions?
Speaking of rip-offs and scams, let's take a look at the corporate income tax. Ask your elected officials if corporations pay income tax. They will most likely tell you that corporations do indeed pay income tax. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The notion that corporations or businesses pay income tax is a complete lie!
This lie is one of the biggest government scams and rip-offs (along with Social Security) of all times. And you are the one being scammed and ripped-off.
All corporations and businesses simply pass on the cost of their income tax, and bookkeeping expenses, to you - the consumer. They simply increase the price of their goods and services to cover these costs. The corporate income tax is one of the primary causes of inflation.
Economic studies have conclusively proven that the income tax increases the price of all goods and services about 25%.
But, why aren't people all across the United States calling and writing their Senators and Representatives demanding that something be done about this?
Is it that you and I don't mind being scammed and ripped-off by our government, but we draw the line when it is done by a business or corporation?
So, what can we do?
First, we can change our tax system to a simple, fair, national retail sales tax such as HR 2717 or HR 2525. Call and write your Senators and Representative and request that they support real, fundamental tax reform. Ask them to become a cosponsor on HR 2717, HR 2525, and HR 4716. Tell them that come next election time, you are going to vote for the candidate who supports these bills.
If the citizens of this great country put enough pressure on them, we would see and end to this scam and rip-off. But only if you take action and make the calls and write the letters.
Contact your Senators and Representative:
Senator Harry Reid
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone (702) 388-5020
Senator John Ensign
333 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Ste. 8203
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 388-6605
Rep. Shelley Berkley
2340 Paseo del Prado, Ste. D106
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (702) 220-9823
Rep. James Gibbons
850 South Durango Drive, Suite 107
Las Vegas, Nevada 89128
Phone: (702) 255-1651
VOTRTM Petition Drive
Last month, on July 6 & 7, local CATS volunteers staffed a VOTR Petition booth at the Las Vegas Gun Show held in Cashman Center.
We gathered over 300 signed petitions from the attendees at the gun show.
Many thanks to volunteers Marvin W., Nick G., Carolyn K., Kelley, and Charles S. (who came up with the idea for the petition booth).
Have you signed the VOTR online petition? If not, now is the time to act! Go to: www.votr.org and sign the petition now.
If you have signed, has your spouse, voting age children, friends, relatives and business associates signed? Have you asked them to do so?
2,065 petitions have been signed. If you take action today, we can triple that figure in twelve hours. PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!
Do you need hard-copy petitions for people to sign who may not have ready access to the Internet? Contact Director of VOTR Campaign at director@votr.org or Phone: (866)-VOTR-USA (866-868-7872) for petitions.
Please forward this message to everyone you know.
Thanks for your help. I would also ask that you call your Congressman and request that he or she sign the VOTR Pledge online.
Does This Make Sense?
The United States spends about $40,000 a year on a family of four below the poverty line. If they just handed them a check they would be out of poverty, but instead they waste it on the bureaucracy and end up making people more dependent without lifting them out of poverty.
