Readers Respond

Taxation nation

[The following are responses to an HCN Daily item about Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan, built around a 9% business tax, a 9% individual tax and a 9% national sales tax. It would also eliminate the mortgage interest deduction.]

“I’m for [the 9-9-9 plan]. What no one is talking about is the undercurrent of money from illegal activities that this plan will catch and tax at least 9%. Currently no revenue is generated from this source. Would it be great if this didn’t exist? Yes. Is that realistic? No. This plan will catch money on BOTH sides of the ball. Wages being paid to illegal residents will at least get caught when they spend their wages, and money earned by persons engaged in illegal activities will get taxed when they spend it. The underground economy will always exist, and it is being taxed at 0% right now.”

— Kent Porter

Porters Building Centers

Kearney, Mo.

“Almost anything is better than what we have. His plan is simple, fair and will spur economic growth. I think any criticism of his plan or others similar is spurred from a misconception that too little tax revenue is our problem. There is already too much tax revenue. The problem is an oppressive government growing on credit terms at our expense. No government in history has ever been close to this big, and it was unsustainable years ago. Herman Cain’s solution is great for the revenue side. I hope he has a great plan about the spending side and the massive shrinkage of government that must happen if we are to survive.”

— Jeff Wilson

Killen, Ala.

“In my discussions about this plan, most people forget that it is supposed to eliminate all other federal taxes, thus simplifying and lowering some things in our life. I’ve asked numerous young people and they are against it, thinking that now they will pay more in taxes until I ask them if they buy gasoline, fly on a plane, or use a cell phone. To which they say, ‘I didn’t know all those had federal taxes on them.’ Like most things, the media plays people to whatever slant they land on. I’m still undecided for a couple of reasons:

“1. Will they ever really eliminate other taxes, permanently?

“2. Will there be a ceiling that the 9-9-9 [plan] will never increase?”

— Erv Sweet

“What are the unintended consequences of the plan?

“No deductions for that home improvement loan and 9% more cost added to building materials. We know how quickly a 10% increase kills a category in the store.

“No tax on used merchandise?  How long before an ugly underground economy emerges that skirts building codes.”

— Tom Fromelt

Southern Yellow Pine

“In our market (New Hampshire), Southern Yellow Pine is used primarily as pressure treated, and mostly in exterior decks. The result of decreased design value changes would most likely cause us to increase member size and reduce spans. It’s hard to say what impact that might have on the market. It will make the finished price of a deck project higher for sure. But, will it be enough to stop people from building these decks? Probably not.”

— Eric Murphy

East Coast Lumber 

“The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) does not test lumber or establish design values. SFPA is not a lumber rules-writing agency. The SFPA’s primary function is to market lumber products and to help users understand Southern Pine grading rules and design values developed by the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) and approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC).”

— Southern Forest Products Association


Kenner, La.

Sunday hours and home centers

“If I am an applicant seeking a job from a business that is open seven days a week, and I firmly believe that working on Sunday or Saturday would conflict with my religious beliefs, I have two options:

“1. Apply elsewhere. This is America. You get to choose where you want to apply for a job. Apply at a workplace that is open Monday through Friday.

“2. Be upfront to the selecting manager that you are not available on Saturday (for Sabbath) or on Sunday. The employer can then decide if your schedule will fit into the current pool of employees.”

— Paul Rodriguez

Hayward So You Can Build

Santa Maria, Calif.