DUSTIN GAWRYLOW: SENATOR CONRAD’S NATIONAL SALES TAX PLAN
Last May, a story ran in the Washington Post about an idea circulating in Washington to create a national sales tax. Our own Senator Kent Conrad made an appearance in that article, showing enthusiastic glee at the notion of a national sales tax in the form of a Value Added Tax (VAT):
"There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform," Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said in an interview. "I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table." (Washington Post: May 27th, 2009)
Then yesterday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve and current senior advisor to President Obama as saying this:
Answering a question at the New York Historical Society on Tuesday, Mr. Volcker said that a VAT-a consumption tax levied along stages of production-"was not as toxic an idea" as it has been, and that both a VAT and some kind of tax on energy need to be on the table. "If at the end of the day we need to raise taxes, we should raise taxes," he said. (Wall Street Journal: April 7th, 2010)
Meanwhile, the Heritage Foundation says that this is exactly how Democrats intend to pay for government healthcare.
No word on how high Senator Conrad wants the national sales tax should be.
Dustin Gawrylow, Executive Director
Office Phone: (701) 751-2530
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