en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/275342 Comments by EnergyLiving http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12623079 The immediate implementation of this bailout will affect the stakeholders as outlined below: UNDERGROUND WORKFORCE (Workers who are paid under the table, criminal element involved in black market, drugs): Consumption tax and luxury tax will capture tax dollars that have not been captured in the past. Gives individuals the opportunity to invest in America through Government Bonds RICH and RICH PHILANTHROPISTS: Eliminates the necessity to look for tax loopholes, recognizes legitimate investments, savings, philanthropic activities. Allows the rich to invest back in America through Government Bonds. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:37:12 +0000 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12623079 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12623067 The immediate implementation of this bailout will affect the stakeholders as outlined below: POOR: Immediate access to jobs, technology, and business opportunities for new ideas and innovation. RETIREES: Increase in dollars to spend, invest, or buy Government Bonds. Access to jobs, technology, and business opportunities for new ideas and innovation. MIDDLE CLASS: Increase in dollars to spend, invest, or invest in America through Government Bonds. Immediate access to jobs, technology, and business opportunities for new ideas and innovation. MIDDLE CLASS (recently lost jobs): Immediate access to jobs, business opportunities for new ideas and innovation, and restructure of debt. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:35:24 +0000 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12623067 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12622936 After viewing all the great comments, to include those in opposition to a flat tax, I offer the following to give Main Street immediate bailout relief and a sense of self-determination. IMAGINE: The Bailout: Flat tax; Removal of savings/investments/annuity/inheritance/tax; modest Consumption Tax; steep Luxury Tax; issuance of Government Bonds (similar to War Bonds issued during World War II) for Green Energy, Medical Research for Complementary Alternative Medicines; Transportation Infrastructure (Super Rail/Bridges); Technology Infrastructure Access; and Entrepreneurship Programs. The immediate implementation of this bailout will affect the stakeholders as outlined below: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:33:42 +0000 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12622936 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12518752 You have points that I have never considered. The current system has two flaws that hurt the economy overall: It taxes not only what you earn, but what you save and invest; plus the current system does not capture money earned from the underground economy. I certainly would agree that perhaps there should be a graduated flat tax and a consumer tax on luxury items. (The consumer tax would capture the money gained through drug deals, black market, etc., as well as loop holes typically employed by the rich). Overall, I think the flat tax would work in favor of the middle class, because it would allow the middle class to save and invest without penalty. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:19:19 +0000 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12518752 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12517176 Change.gov is truly an extraordinary experiment and I welcome the opportunity to provide my thoughts. I believe the government during this time of crisis should seriously look at a Flat tax. According to the Heritage Foundation: "There are two principal arguments for a flat tax—growth and fairness. Many economists are attracted to the idea because the current tax system, with its high rates and discriminatory taxation of saving and investment, reduces growth, destroys jobs, and lowers incomes. A flat tax would not eliminate the damaging impact of taxes altogether, but by dramatically lowering rates and ending the tax code’s bias against saving and investment, it would boost the economy’s performance when compared with the present tax code." Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:43:02 +0000 http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/join_the_discussion_obama_economic_team_responds/#IDComment12517176