Fair Share

  You hear the President speak about fair share a lot. So much, that if you were to do a search on it, he has probably spoken the phrase hundreds of times. But for him to utter it so often, tells even the casual political observer that it is an effective phrase. So let's go with his own words. Firstly, I agree whole heartedly with the premise. Afterall, all stand to gain if everyone paid their fair share. But how do you accomplish this fairness doctrine? The President , being the consummate politician, only will use the term to suit a political end. His political ideology makes his use of the term as a knock of the rich, which strangely or not, covers himself, as well as most all of whom he now considers his closet friends. But his hypocrisy is not the point here, but rather the subject of his hatred, our Capitalistic way of life.
The problem is for those who look to defend the engine that drives this mighty nation, may well lie in semantics? I mean, just think of the word itself. Capitalism? By its root, does it conjure up the ineptness of the politicians who are now in power in our capital? Or worse yet, you might think of the evil capitalist who hoards his money, only to acquire more, as he steps on the heads of those who dare to get into his or her way? Like it or not, Capitalism is the engine that drives the bus. Maybe a more likable word for it? One that is really far more accurate then the word we now use. I propose that a semantical change is all that is needed, something softer on the tongue, something much more palatable? Instead of Capitalism, use the word Consumerism. Afterall, we are a nation of consumers, as is all the world. We all must purchase the goods and services that we need as staples, and when finances allow, a few luxuries. Now I don't claim to understand the tax laws, who can, as the books that hold such laws when stacked on top of each other are taller then I am. The problem is, that we have things reversed if our collective goal is that everyone pays their fair share, in that, under the current system, we are taxed on what we make, rather then what we spend. In a society driven by consumerism, everybody pays, as everybody spends. I don't know the math, but the percentage of a consumption tax would have to be established at a rate high enough to cover our national costs for the government to function properly. For argument sake, let's say that if we took the total amount of money spent for all and any goods and services. Let's say that 10% of that total would keep the country in the black.
  Again, because by nature I am a simple man, I can't see how this system couldn't work? The only people who would be against it outright, are the groups who now profit from it quite handily. Accountants and tax attorneys, two powerful lobbies come to mind. But these are highly educated people, and they can surely find another way to make a living. I agree with our President, and everyone should pay their fair share. No more loopholes, no more scrambling to file your taxes, as the tax would be collected each day, every day. Even the obscenely wealthy couldn't hide from this one. What could they do if they didn't spend, pile their money in a vault and watch it collect dust? Money is only useful when you spend it, because until it is spent, it is just so much paper and gold. Everyone talks about reforming our tax codes, so why not do it in one action? Oh, and as a bonus, none need worry about the Lois Lerners of the IRS, because there would be little use for such a powerful agency anymore.