Unlike our regular RAFT website, we are strongly urging you to register your name and e-mail address with us. The only way to motivate large numbers of people to act is to be able to communicate with them to encourage them to do so. We’ll let you know about FairTax news & upcoming events through email – that way, you never miss out! If you want to get involved, get involved. SIGN UP!

Join the party!

Americans are getting angrier over the spending of huge sums of money in hopes of solving economic problems but with little certainty of success. Those who have been able to take care of themselves are now being forced to foot the bill for those who made poor choices. People are gathering across this country to express their outrage in meetings called “Tea Parties,” in honor of the Boston Tea Party in 1773 over unjust taxes. This IS the time for the grassroots to come alive! “Regular” folks are mightily and justifiably upset over the tsunami of cash being applied to the economic situation with questionable likelihood of success. The “Tea Party” mentality, over taxation-by-representation through legislation-without-verification, is a real opportunity for a grassroots explosion to take hold in support of the FairTax. Taxpayers are angry and ready to respond to a positive message about how things can be vastly improved. 

Want to attend a FairTax Rally?  Here’s your chance!

Tax Day, April 15th is a great opportunity to spread the word to people whose minds are firmly focused on the unpleasantness of filing income taxes.  And this year there is the additional opportunity of a national grassroots Tea Party movement.  Roanoke Area FairTax is combining both at Roanoke’s main Post Office on Rutherford Ave. across from the Civic Center.

As we have done before, RAFT will have a table on public property in front of the Post Office.  Volunteers will distribute information to people as they arrive to mail their tax returns, directing them to the table to receive further information, to sign up to become one of us, and to talk to us about the FairTax.  We intend to pass out tea bags, not for mailing, but containing information about contacting federal legislators who have the power to make the FairTax the law of the land.We intend to pass out tea bags, not for mailing, but containing information about contacting federal legislators who have the power to make the FairTax the law of the land. 

In addition, we encourage you to join us on the sidewalk to express your support.  This will be your opportunity to be creative.  Although we will have FairTax signs and a banner, individual expression is even better.  Bring signs and posters to tell onlookers, and hopefully the media, what you feel.  If you want examples of slogans and one-liners, go to http://lukeamerica2020.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/101-tea-party-sign-slogans/.   Come on down and make your feelings known.

We will be at the P.O. from 3 pm until closing (around 8 pm).  Each of you is urged to participate for at least part of the time to make the most of this unique double opportunity to get the FairTax story out to a receptive public.  I suggest you park at the nearby Civic Center parking area, as the Post Office will allow only short time customer parking.

Ours is not the only Tea Party (see below for the rest of the list), but it is the only one featuring strong FairTax emphasis, lots of receptive taxpayers, relatively high vehicle traffic, and a downtown setting.

If you would like to commit to being there, please let me know at RAFT@cox.net.  That would help a lot in planning.  Come on down and Spread the word! 

So, what else can you do and when can you do it?

  • Immediately: You can create your own first Tea Party by signing a FairTax petition urging President Obama to provide “support by your administration to create a tax system that provides real and permanent economic stimulus effects that our nation, our citizens and children need and deserve.” Click on the FairTax “Save the Nation” Petition.
  • Contact your federal elected officials: Let them know how you feel!  They need to know.  Click here to find out how to reach them.
  • Tuesday, April 14th: There will be a Smith Mountain Lake area Tea Party near the Grand Furniture Store in Westlake from 2:30-4 pm.  People with FairTax signs and literature are being urged to come to spread the word on the FairTax to all those folks who have gripes about taxation but might not yet be informed about the FairTax.  It is believed that several political figures will attend, including former Congressman Virgil Goode.  For information, click here.
  • Wednesday, April 15th: The “Official ” Roanoke City Tea Party will begin at noon at the Roanoke City offices at 215 Church Ave.  The gathering is mainly to bring negative publicity to Senators Webb and Warner for their recent votes.  Click here to get more information about the event.
  • Wednesday, April 15th: Tax Day Tea Party Event in Roanoke from 5-7 pm on Wiley Dr., along the Roanoke River near the old Victory Stadium site.  Bring your signs!  This is an informal, grassroots movement. If you have a bullhorn, bring it! No planned speakers. Just the average American making his voice heard.  Click here to get more information.
  • Keep up with other Tea Parties: Find out that you’re not alone. See what others are planning to do nationwide. Click here for an up-to-date list.

What is the FairTax?

Not all of our site visitors know what the FairTax is all about. For you we have a two-tiered answer to the question:

The FairTax plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including:

  • A progressive national retail sales tax.
  • A prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level.
  • Dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality.
  • Repeal of the 16th Amendment through companion legislation.

More specifically, the FairTax consists of a series of principles that lead, when combined, to a fair, simple, easy to understand plan that is good for us and good for our country:

  1. A national retail sales tax on new goods and services with a universal refund for the tax on the basic necessities of life.
  2. Replaces income and payroll taxes including personal, gift, estate, capital gains, Alternative Minimum, Social Security/Medicare, self-employment, and corporate taxes.
  3. Receive full paycheck: No federal deductions from an employee’s wages.
  4. Embedded federal taxes (~$22%) are eliminated from the costs of goods and services.
  5. The FairTax (23%) is introduced into the costs of goods and services.
  6. Prices remain about the same but federal taxes are paid just by making a purchase.
  7. Every family receives a Prebate, a refund in advance for 23% of the Family Spending Allowance(“Poverty Level”) depending only on the make-up of each family unit.
  8. Purchasing power rises 10-20%.
  9. Used goods are untaxed.
  10. Completely untaxes the poor.
  11. Purchasing base will enable more complete funding of Social Security and Medicare.
  12. Reduces compliance costs.
  13. Revenue neutral to the current system.
  14. Calls for elimination of the IRS and repeal of the 16th Amendment.
  15. Illegals, tourists, underground, and cash economy will all now pay taxes.
  16. More transparent system.
  17. Will change focus from avoiding taxes to making money!