Politics, Politics

There's some interesting, but little mentioned, stuff in the news. Like the plan to close a bunch of bases in Europe and Asia, so we can have a "more active military". I hadn't thought about the defensive role America plays in European countries. I just assumed we got to keep bases in those countries because we were on the winning side in WWII.
There are 2 bills proposing an end to the federal income tax. They both propose a national sales tax instead. Sounds good, no? The experts think the tax would need to be at least 23%. Urgh. So a 99 cent bottle of water in Missouri would cost $1.30. Proponents say the bill would save $3 to $5 trillion dollars by removing the IRS, and that it's a fairer system.
Detractors say the bill would harm individual States, and that the poorest of Americans would suffer the most.

One of the bills suggests a "prebate" program, where people below the poverty level get a check every month to help cover their expected taxes for purchases.
Um, yeah.
Since I don't know squat about economics, (as evidenced by my empty bank account)I'm going to suggest this hair-brained scheme:
Dump the IRS, set a national sales tax at a more reasonable rate, (like the 7.8% that minimum wage earners pay)and throw in a luxury tax. Buy a new car, pay X amount. Buy a gently used car, pay a lower amount. Buy a totally frivolus sailboat, pay a higher amount. Oh, wait. I forgot about all the accountants and government employees who would be not just out of a job, but out of a career. I can see the swarms of homeless accountants now. :P