[lbo-talk] cruise report

[Shane Mage]

Doug wrote:
>
>>  Why does nobody mention Gravel?
>
>He supports a consumption tax.
>
But what's wrong with that?  A Value-Added tax, with an advance
rebate (for which Americans would be quick to invent the barbarous 
neologism "prebate") equivalent to the tax on consumption of the 
requisites for a basic level of health and comfort, would be the most 
progressive tax possible--not least because it would be largely 
evasion-proof.  It would also have a profound political effect by
exerting continuous upward pressure on the level of consumption
that Americans would define as the minimum acceptable level of
health and comfort for everyone.

Of course advocating sensible policies is a death-trap for US politicians.
Who remembers Milton Schaap and his call for Federal budgeting to
recognize the kindergarten-level concept of different Capital and 
Expense budgets?

Shane Mage

"This cosmos did none of gods or men make, but it always was and is 
and shall be: an everlasting fire, kindling in measures and going out 
in measures."

Herakleitos of Ephesos, fr. 30