I watched Anderson Cooper's post-debate interview with Herman Cain. Anderson asked Cain a very prescient question: How can it be true that 9-9-9 won't raise taxes on low- and middle-class Americans if 47% of Americans don't currently pay any income tax? Under 9-9-9, Anderson pointed out, these folks would be subject not only to a 9% flat income tax (which, good golly, is more than 0, at least it seems to be!), but would also be charged a 9% sales tax on purchases.
Cain explained why this analysis was wrong. Silly Anderson Cooper didn't understand that the tax would only be applied ONCE, to the first time an item was sold. If you buy USED goods, there won't be any sales tax at all!
I really understand the logic of 9-9-9 now! I'll just buy USED stuff, for EVERYTHING! I'll do all my clothes shopping at Goodwill and the Buffalo Exchange. I'll buy all my furniture off of Craigslist.
Cain has stated directly in interviews that the 9% sales tax applies to food. Candy Crowley asked him in an interview a few days ago whether a 9% tax on groceries was fair. (See http://www.ibtimes.com/...) Cain's response: Yes, it's fair!
What he forgot to say is -- if you don't currently pay any federal income tax, your tax doesn't have to go up under 9-9-9, because you can shop at the USED GROCERY STORE! You know, all those grocery stores out there where people can buy groceries that are previously owned! Genius!!!! And this really will save poor people a bundle -- they are spending 30-40% of their money on food. This will go to 33-44% of their money on 9-9-9, except for Cain's "loophole" -- BUY USED GROCERIES!
Want to treat your family to, say, a nice pizza pie from Godfather's? What a great idea! Great pizza! We all know the economy is rough, but everyone can use a little night out once in a while, right? Well, you'd pay a 9% sales tax on that pizza in 9-9-9! Except as well all know you can go to the USED Godfather's Pizza, and order a pizza that's been previously owned. That way your taxes DON'T go up under 9-9-9.
Cain has been silent about whether his plan applies to, say, pharmaceutical drugs. 20 states currently have a sales tax on prescription drugs (http://www.avma.org/...), and given the beauty and simplicity of 9-9-9, and the fact that even food won't be exempt, I imagine prescription drugs won't be either. But don't worry, all you middle class people who depend on your prescription drugs to survive. You won't have to pay any federal taxes on those prescriptions if you just go to the good old USED PRESCRIPTION DRUG STORE!
A simple, beautiful plan: 9-9-9. No exemptions, it's fair to everyone, and anyone who says that it raises taxes on lower- and middle-income people is WRONG. Remember -- Cain won't tax USED goods in 9-9-9! Just buy used!
Oh, what about the first 9, you know, the 9% flat income tax? How will that not raise taxes on the 47% of Americans who don't pay federal income tax? Well, I'm honestly not sure what the answer is to that one. But I am sure of one thing -- Herman Cain knows the answer! And it'll be just as good as the USED GOODS solution! Don't worry, we're not going to raise ANYONE's taxes, and 9-9-9 is revenue neutral! Cain has promised!!!!!