Time for a flat tax

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

The states representatives would hold congress together, and they would figure it out themselves.

Yes, the costs will ultimately trickle down to the state residents.

You are right, it simply changes the bureaucracy of it. However, it is a big distinction. It means that the states hold the power, and there really is no federal government -- except when the states hold congress together. There would be no "full-time" federal government. Do we really need a federal congress and senate meeting EVERY day -- in addition to the state congresses and senates? It seems redundant and unnecessary to me. IMO, there would be much less waste and corruption.

I believe the federal government should have VERY little, if any, power. They should certainly not have the power to tax the citizens directly.

Thank you Alexander Stephens. Actually, this would be closer to the Articles of Confederation than the Confederate States of America. However, as both models failed, I think it is safe to say that this is simply blatantly unworkable. It was tried and failed in the US - twice. The only way to ensure that Maryland residents (and businesses) are treated the same in any state is by having a federal government that is the final regulator.

Just as an example - it was the feds (with their ability to tax directly) that effected civil rights changes in the south, by their ability to trump the various State's monopoly on force, through its ability to create economic incentives and disincentives to change Jim Crow laws, etc. Had it been up to Alabama, either blacks would still be second class citizens OR there would have been a bloody bloody revolt. The feds forced southern states to comport with national standards