Lobbying Reform Starts with Tax Reform

The recent stories in the media regarding lobbyist Jack Abramoff have raised the issue of "Lobby Reform." Rather than put rules and regulations on the activities of lobbyists, it would seem more practical to address the cause rather than the symptom ... our tax code.

Let's be honest, what are most of these lobbyist doing? They're petitioning members of Congress on behalf of their clients for favorable treatment ... primarily where tax issues are concerned. What would happen if there was no income taxes, employment taxes, or corporate taxes? What if there was some other way of raising revenue for the federal government that didn't provide Congress with the opportunity to favor some over others? Wouldn't that be great?

Well, hope is on the horizon. Congressman John Linder of Georgia is the author of HR 25, Fair Tax Act of 2005 (enter "HR 25" as the bill number). This bill eliminates the aforementioned taxes and replaces them with a national retail sales tax ... a tax on consumption, not a tax on productivity.

Another good source of information is the Americans for Fair Tax website.

In the next few weeks I'll be adding a series of posts on this important subject. I think you will find the benefits of such a tax system fascinating ... for young and old, rich or poor, black or white, or whatever. Stay tuned.