In a recent speech, John McCain presented his vision for America. As part of his economic vision he advocates a flat tax. A flat tax is not the long-term answer to stimulating our economy. Only the FairTax can do that. Read chapter 12 of FairTax -- the truth for a real vision for the future.

The flat tax will not work because it is still an income tax. Payroll tax deductions and the capital gains tax do not disappear. It is an income tax that can be manipulated by politicians. It has been tried before and failed.

Our current income tax system started out as a flat tax in the early 20th century. Look at what our politicians have created: a 67,000-page document that is unworkable, cannot be understood and is an inefficient method of generating revenue. It has become a tool in the hands of political manipulators to pander for votes and solicit lobbyists' money in exchange for special interests.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 was purported to be the cure-all for our economy and the Social Security crisis. Since that time the IRS Code has been amended 16,000 times, and we still have an economy without a certain future and a failing Social Security system.

On many occasions I have heard people refer to the FairTax as a flat tax. There is a world of difference. The FairTax is a consumption-based tax that will work; the flat tax is just a continuation of what we have now, and it won't work.

Learn more about the FairTax at www.fairtax.org

Bruce Shepherd

Foxfire Village