[phoenix]

Obama has been the only Democrat to actually talk about his Christianity (http://mensnewsdaily.com/archive/s/stix ... 082204.htm is one source of decent information on this). IIRC, he converted at a Christian Church in the midwest (Chicago? I can't remember now).

[El Scorcho]

I will say that I didn't know he was a Fair Tax supporter before today. That goes a long way with me. Still concerned about some things, but the Fair Tax is a big deal.

I love the idea of the Fair Tax but I'm afraid that it's something that could only work if the government behind it weren't inherently greedy. In other words, it won't work.

I do see the potential for abuse since all they'd have to do is raise one rate to pull in a lot more bread. However, I think having the tax rate out there in such a highly visible (and easily understandable) way would make for a lot more noise from the public should they try to raise it. I see that as a small but important check on that greed.

[JDUB]

i'm also a big fan of the fair tax. i knew he supported it but had forgotten. i agree with scorcho about them raising it. they can raise the current system and no one notices b/c we can't really see it because its so complicated and were used to them taking half our check anyway. with this new system the tax would be on every receipt and we'd see it and if they raised it there would be a huge outcry.

i really like huckabee. i think he's probably my #1 choice, but there are others i would vote for.

[RagingTireFire]

with this new system the tax would be on every receipt and we'd see it and if they raised it there would be a huge outcry.

That actually demonstrates part of the problem I have with it right there. Again, not with the Fair Tax itself but with how it would be implemented by the government and then perceived by the Average Joe Schmuck. The Fair Tax would encourage foreign investment -- which is ordinarily good -- but if the tax rate is set too high -- which it would be -- it would discourage domestic spending along with creating a sizeable "duty-free" black market for everyday items. The imbalance would devalue the dollar exponentially more than it already is and basically make America an economic third world.

[vastrightwinger]

The only thing that concerns me about Huck us that when he was Gov. of Arkansas he was all about Tax and Spend. He darn near wrecked the economy and now that he is pushing the fair tax plain (which I think is the best solution out there), I am curious as to why he changed his ways. Bob Novak wrote a really interesting article over the weekend about Huckabee.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 47_pf.html

I have yet to decide who I am going to support this time around but Huckabee just rubs me the wrong way.

[TDDance234]

Initially I was a Thompson fan because I thought he was the closest I could get who could win. He didn't show me a thing once he got into the race and he dropped his early staff who had him on my best side. Then I look around more and see Huckabee sitting there and I got to thinking... He's saying just about what I'd say myself if I were running.

I never went public with my support of Thompson and I've never campainged for any Presidential Candidate but Huckabee is hitting on all cylinders for me. At the end of the day he's where I am on the issues and with our support he can win.

As for whether we "completely agree" with him... I know I don't "completely agree" with my wife either.

Very well said.

[JDUB]

with this new system the tax would be on every receipt and we'd see it and if they raised it there would be a huge outcry.

That actually demonstrates part of the problem I have with it right there. Again, not with the Fair Tax itself but with how it would be implemented by the government and then perceived by the Average Joe Schmuck. The Fair Tax would encourage foreign investment -- which is ordinarily good -- but if the tax rate is set too high -- which it would be -- it would discourage domestic spending along with creating a sizeable "duty-free" black market for everyday items. The imbalance would devalue the dollar exponentially more than it already is and basically make America an economic third world.

you lost me on that. even though i've had two economics classes i don't understand that stuff, but I do know that they had a bunch of highly respected economists help when developing this and I asked my economics teacher and he said it would work great. I'm going to have to go with the opinion of highly respected economists on this one, unless you have some letters after your name i don't know about

[RagingTireFire]

with this new system the tax would be on every receipt and we'd see it and if they raised it there would be a huge outcry.

That actually demonstrates part of the problem I have with it right there. Again, not with the Fair Tax itself but with how it would be implemented by the government and then perceived by the Average Joe Schmuck. The Fair Tax would encourage foreign investment -- which is ordinarily good -- but if the tax rate is set too high -- which it would be -- it would discourage domestic spending along with creating a sizeable "duty-free" black market for everyday items. The imbalance would devalue the dollar exponentially more than it already is and basically make America an economic third world.

you lost me on that. even though i've had two economics classes i don't understand that stuff, but I do know that they had a bunch of highly respected economists help when developing this and I asked my economics teacher and he said it would work great. I'm going to have to go with the opinion of highly respected economists on this one, unless you have some letters after your name i don't know about

I couldn't give either side of a rat's jerk if you take my opinion or not. Like I said, I love the Fair Tax as a theory and, simply based on numerical data, it's fantastic. However, it fails to take into account human behavior. Economists don't study that and that's where the theory breaks down.

[LUconn]

Geez, you need to go sit on a rock somewhere for the next week.

[BJWilliams]

Im learning about Mike Huckabee so I m not really going to pass anything on his political stances just yet. The highlight of the morning for me was being able to get a picture with Governor and Mrs Huckabee after convocation. There was a group of Id say about 100 students gathered around the stage as soon as they dismissed everybody.

[ToTheLeft]

That actually demonstrates part of the problem I have with it right there. Again, not with the Fair Tax itself but with how it would be implemented by the government and then perceived by the Average Joe Schmuck. The Fair Tax would encourage foreign investment -- which is ordinarily good -- but if the tax rate is set too high -- which it would be -- it would discourage domestic spending along with creating a sizeable "duty-free" black market for everyday items. The imbalance would devalue the dollar exponentially more than it already is and basically make America an economic third world.

you lost me on that. even though i've had two economics classes i don't understand that stuff, but I do know that they had a bunch of highly respected economists help when developing this and I asked my economics teacher and he said it would work great. I'm going to have to go with the opinion of highly respected economists on this one, unless you have some letters after your name i don't know about

I couldn't give either side of a rat's jerk if you take my opinion or not. Like I said, I love the Fair Tax as a theory and, simply based on numerical data, it's fantastic. However, it fails to take into account human behavior. Economists don't study that and that's where the theory breaks down.

So JDub, you just listen to what other people tell you, and believe it as fact?

Maybe the letters after your name should be I-G-N-O-R-A-N-T.

Not trying to make a personal attack, but before you go insulting someone for using common sense for cutting down an arguement you don't even know the facts on, think about what you KNOW, and what you are TOLD, and figure out the truth for yourself, not based on what a Ph.D told ya.

People die every day, the economy sucks, and bridges collapse. Not everyone with a Doctorate is perfect.

[ToTheLeft]

And I agree that Fair Tax would be a great idea, but isn't practical.

But its that kind of mindset that I appreciate in a leader.

Would we respect him if he said "I'd like a Fair Tax, but it won't ever work."?

[El Scorcho]

I don't think Huckabee will be the last candidate we hear from.

[ToTheLeft]

I don't think Huckabee will be the last candidate we hear from.

Zomgosh Ron Paul?

[Fumblerooskies]

I agree with TTL...
...Wouldn't that tax be unjustly discriminate against those living in SF or Asheville?

[TallyW]

A little more info for the discussion.

On the Fair Tax:
I personally don't care if the fair tax ever makes it to implementation right away. The abolishment of the IRS and threat to lobbyists will make it a big battle. The thing I appreciate about his view is that if elected we know he'd put a big stinkin' spotlight on the current problem. Sometimes change isn't that your guy gets what he wants but that he fights for something so big that you get a change people can live with. If he's trying to abolish the whole system and we end up 5 years from now with a more simple system, I'd for one would be ecstatic.




On "Tax and Spend" he's getting pegged with:
Dick Morris wrote a great article today that fans and critics should read. One of the biggest lines is that while Arkansas raised their total tax burden by 47% in the 12 years Huckabee was governor, the average among all of the United States during the same time was actually nearly double. So it's important we look at the big picture. Additionally if you take time to see what he did with the money, it doesn't look like a crazy liberal. His school system was terrible and the infrastructure was horrible. Even as a conservative at some point you look around and say "Wow... we need some cash to fix this stuff." Additionally he cut taxes 97 different times.

Dick Morris Article: http://tinyurl.com/23sty6

[kel varson]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trai ... _supp.html
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1107/476197.html

After today's convo maybe it was a no brainer but...

[kel varson]

Latest Rasmussen Poll has Huckabee leading in Iowa. 28 percent to 25 percent for Romney.

[Fumblerooskies]

A little more info for the discussion.

On the Fair Tax:
I personally don't care if the fair tax ever makes it to implementation right away.

I agree with TTL...
...Wouldn't that tax be unjustly discriminate against those living in SF or Asheville?

Silly me...I read it wrong...
...it's a FAIR Tax. Sorry.

[El Scorcho]

After today's convo maybe it was a no brainer but...

It was a no brainer after he spoke at TRBC last year.

Again, I don't think he'll be the last candidate we hear from in convo.

[SuperJon]

There's a group on Facebook talking about how if you're a Christian, you can't vote for Huckabee.

http://liberty.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8947030131

[DeathCab4LU]

I don't think Huckabee will be the last candidate we hear from.

Zomgosh Ron Paul?

I got a msg today through Liberty Students For Ron Paul on facebook that Falwell Jr's assisted has formal sent an invite for him to speak...I could only hope

[El Scorcho]

There's a group on Facebook talking about how if you're a Christian, you can't vote for Huckabee.

http://liberty.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8947030131

Someone was handing out fliers to the same effect before Faculty/Staff convo today. Most of what they say doesn't amount to much. At least not for me, and I'm not behind Huckabee.

[JDUB]

they had them at regular convo too. i read it and was actually happy that that was all they could find on him

[JDUB]

oh, and i have been all of the fair tax web page, i'm not speaking ignorantly. i was just saying that i may not understand all the stuff there talking about and some of it i would just trust the economists on.

i don't trust what anyone tells me, but if i like what i understand about it and i read that a group of the best economists in the nation back it and i talk to individual economists, then yes i do trust a large group of highly educated people saying the same thing. that is what they do for a living, that there specialization.