No more taxes on citizens

[Elwar]

"What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings on the earth collect tolls or tributes? From their own subjects, or from foreigners?" When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "In that case, the subjects are exempt." -Matthew 17:25-27

We should stop all taxes on citizens and have a flat, citizen exempt, sales tax to pay for our federal government's spending.

We should also charge all non-citizens who want to become citizens a one time $100,000 fee to become a US citizen (maybe a discounted amount if you're born here). If 1 million people became citizens a year, that would fund $1 trillion per year.

This would be a boon to the economy with no more income or corporate taxes driving more people to want to come to the US. And it would encourage more rich foreigners to come here than poor.

Each state could also have a similar setup as well as each city/town. You could always have a payment plan with the interest going toward the revenue, holding your citizenship as collateral.

Thoughts?

[Zippyjuan]

You would be forcing somebody else to pay for your own benefits. Is that fair or libertarian?

That would also discourage foreigners from coming here and that would decrease your source of revenues and would force you to tax them even more or to look for other sources of revenues. If you are getting a benefit from government you should be the one paying for it. When people do not pay the costs of something they tend to demand and use too much of it. If taxpayers had to directly pay the costs of governement (and not through hidden taxes like sales or corporate or even income taxes) they would then start to demand smaller government. If somebody else pays the taxes, they will want even more government. Sure it is nice for you - you would be getting a free ride.

Maybe try direct billing. Instead of filing taxes (the taxes are already taken out so you really don't feel like you are paying them even though you are). Send them a bill for their fire protection. A bill for public schools. A US military bill. A bill for subsidising ethanol production. You would quickly get people calling for reductions in spending across the board.

[Theocrat]

How can we have no more taxes on citizens when there are citizens who want more taxes?

YouTube - SEIU as Astroturf - Protesters say, "Give up the bucks!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSh7WUK1GDc)

[krazy kaju]

In 2006, 730 thousand people filed for citizenship. Moreover, if there was a $100,000 fee, then a lot of less people would apply

[Number19]

First, it would take a constitutional amendment to repeal the 16th.

Purchase citizenship for $100,000. A qualified no. Perhaps, $100,000 for immediate citizenship combined with "normal" citizenship after a residency requirement - say, 10 years.

Perhaps, qualified with a requirement for nullification of the 16th adopted first by the states, and elimination of all corporate taxes, and all other federal taxes, I could then support a VAT or a sales tax as the sole source of internal income for the federal government ( meaning I'd support an import tax ).

[osan]

We should also charge all non-citizens who want to become citizens a one time $100,000 fee to become a US citizen (maybe a discounted amount if you're born here). If 1 million people became citizens a year, that would fund $1 trillion per year.


I see arithmetic is not your forte. That trillion dollars would actually be 100 billion.

As to the idea, it is a major loser. Let it go.

[Mahkato]

"Citizenship guaranteed after two years of military service! Join today!"