Capital budgets are overrated. http://clinton3.nara.gov/pcscb/wt_kucinich.html
A separate grand 'pre-bate' or other transfer gadget coupled with a VAT would be a sitting duck, politically-speaking. Not out of the question, but pretty risky IMO. Something more integrated with a direct consumption tax is more plausible.
--
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 ___________________________________ http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.0/929 - Release Date: 7/31/2007 5:26 PM
-- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 52373 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.0/929 - Release Date: 7/31/2007 5:26 PM