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FAIRTAX FRIDAY & CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – May 19TH, 2017

Is It Time For An Article V Convention?
 
A long-time FAIRtax advocate and good friend, Phil Hinson has decided that it is time for an Article V Convention to address many of the problems ignored by a Washington elite that is unwilling to change things that benefit no one but them. 

It was during this week in 1787 that delegates to the Convention to amend the failed Articles of Confederation met.  However, many of the delegates were convinced that the only way to create a real government structure was to abandon the Articles of Confederation and develop a new Constitution.  George Washington lent his valuable support to these efforts and out of this convention came our present Constitution.
 
Although Americans For Fair Taxation is not endorsing an Article V Convention, it is a good idea to understand how it would work.  It is also important to note that this convention can possibly be controlled by the same politicians to whom many object.  Another concern is that this convention could also result in the modification or  elimination of some or all of the Bill of Rights or, conversely,  it could also result in enhancing the existing Bill of Rights and even adding additional ones—like the repeal of the present income tax and prohibition of any income tax or other direct tax.
 
Some believe that one of the results of the Article V Convention, which has to be ratified by 34 states before it becomes effective, is that the present U.S. would divide into several countries.  Some believe that the results of the Article V Convention will not be ratified by enough states.
 
The point is that it has never happened in the U.S. and no one knows exactly what will happen.  Phil has done an excellent job at explaining the basis for the Article V Convention.  
 
THE ARTICLE V CONVENTION
By Phil Hinson

 
Article V of the U. S. Constitution outlines a procedure for amending the Constitution which is an alternative to the more common pathway, which calls for a 2/3 vote in both chambers of the federal Congress.   That optional path calls for 2/3 of the states to submit applications to the U. S. Congress for calling “a Convention to recommend Amendments”.   Note that these are two alternatives for initiating the amendment processes; in both cases any proposed amendments must be approved by ¾ of the states.  That means that it currently requires 38 states to approve any proposed amendment.  Conversely, 13 states can stop any amendment from becoming law. 
 
Note that governors have no (formal) role to play, neither does the President, while the role of Congress is limited to an administrative one – they keep track of the applications received from the states and once the requisite 34 is reached, they set the time and place for the convention.
 
As you can see, the Founders set the bar quite high for amending the Constitution.  That was not by accident.
 
The history of the Convention of States option is interesting.  Upon review of the initial draft of the Constitution, one of the Virginia delegates, George Mason, raised the issue of what recourse the people would have if this new federal government, and specifically the Congress, seized more power than was intended by the Framers. 
 
The Framers, students of human nature, understood that it is a common human tendency to acquire as much power as possible.  Dr. Tom Coburn (former U. S. Senator) has observed that there is no precedent in world history for any institution which became extremely powerful to voluntarily relinquish that power.  It is more typical for these types of situations to result in an assassination or bloody coup.  Mr. Mason and the other delegates wanted to provide a better and more peaceful option to resolve these types of situations.
 
The Constitution currently has 27 amendments; all of which have been initiated by a 2/3 vote in both Federal chambers.  The COS alternative has been receiving increasing attention recently and there are at least two Not For Profits that are actively seeking state applications.  One of them, BBA4USA, is simply seeking a balanced budget amendment.  They have 28 state applications sent to Congress.  However, those applications are not identically worded and there is some question as to whether they will aggregate.  Another organization, Convention of States, just this month has added Texas and Missouri to their roster of states that have passed their resolution in both chambers.  That brings them up to 12 states which have passed the measure, but all but six states either have passed the measure in in at least one chamber or had active legislation in 2017. 
 
There are a number of objections coming from various parties to this course of action, ranging from quite legitimate to ones I consider more emotional than substantive.  The concerns over a “runaway convention” are, in my mind, overblown.  Professor Rob Nadelson, a Constitutional scholar, has opined that there are far more checks and balances to prevent a runaway convention than there are to prevent a runaway Congress. 
 
There simply is no risk free approach to doing what is needed.  To my way of thinking, the relatively small risk of a “”runaway convention” is more than justified by the biggest benefit, which I believe is a complete “rebalancing” of the relationship between Congress and the American public.
 
 A number of political luminaries and organizations have weighed in.  Dr. Tom Coburn, Glenn Beck and Mark Levin have strongly supported the idea.  Even Laurence Lessig, a Harvard University law school professor who is politically to the left of Barack Obama, has testified eloquently in front of the Massachusetts legislature.  Opponents include Phyllis Shaffley’s Eagle Forum and The John Birch Society.  None of the opponents have an alternative to reining in the federal government and reasserting the intended critical role of state governments, other than “electing the right kind of people”.  Isn’t that what we have been trying to do for the last 240 years now?
There is a wealth of information on YouTube, especially from the COS group, which seems to have the most momentum. 
 
For those of us who have been laboring for more than a decade to convince Congress to do the right thing, and to put the national interest above their own self-interest, this is a welcome development.  I believe that even though we could not get an amendment of our liking passed at the present time, it gives us a pathway and “a light at the end of the tunnel”.
 
WHAT CAN EACH OF US DO
 
Call up the local or D.C. office of the House Member and two Senators and you can use the following script:
  • I am sure that Representative ____ or Senator ____ is in favor of everyone obeying the income tax laws.
  • After they assure you that their boss is not in favor of anyone breaking the law, ask if they are aware of the Cebula study showing $9 trillion of evaded income/payroll taxes over the next ten years.
  • Since most will say they don’t believe their boss has seen the study, either drop off a copy or get an email address and send a copy to them for their boss.
  • Say you are going to call back in a week and ask what the Representative or Senator is going to do to stop this evasion.
  • In a week, call back and ask specifically what the Representative or Senator is going to do to enforce the law.
  • They probably will say their boss believes that simplifying the income tax will handle the problem.
  • Explain that when people evade income taxes, they are also evading the 15.3% payroll/Medicare tax and state income tax.  So it is unlikely that they are going to pay 30% or 40% when they were paying 0% because they have already decided it is okay to cheat.
  • Say that the only way to reduce evasion is to increase by tens or hundreds of thousands the number of comprehensive IRS audits done each year.
  • Point out that Evaders do not self-identify by putting an “E” on their income tax return.
  • 80% of the people likely to be audited are trying to comply, but they will be forced to endure these IRS audits as well.
  • Ask if the Member is in favor of this?
  • If they say no, then ask again how the Member proposes to stop people breaking the income tax laws.
  • Then explain that the way to handle evasion without unleashing the IRS audits is the FAIRtax.  
If you can see your Member or attend a town hall and ask these questions, you can be even more effective.

HELP BRING ABOUT REAL TAX REFORM AND STOP FUTURE IRS ABUSES

Because of the varied attacks on the Ryan/Brady income tax plan, the White House has announced that they need to start over to determine the best tax plan to propose. Abraham Lincoln also said, “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” 

We may only have a limited time to stop the fake tax reform being promoted by some in Congress.  If it passes, then the Elites will say that we need to wait before we consider any more changes.  To stop this fake reform, we must be able to ensure that our message is clearly heard not only by Congress but also by President Trump.  To do this we need your help.

By contributing (investing) $10.40 per month, you help provide a financial base to AFFT.  If you can make larger contributions (investments), these will be used not for salaries, as we are all volunteers, but for the needed updates to our economic studies which will be vital in 2017.
 
Please go to this link to invest in AFFT and in your and your family’s future.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH FAIRTAX POWER RADIO

Tax reform will affect every American in one way or another. But what is tax reform? Why do we need tax reform? Can the IRS be transformed into a “service organization” as Paul Ryan claims? Is the tax plan offered by President Trump true reform or just modifying the current failed system?  Is it possible to use humor to discuss tax reform?
 
Since this is so important, should you stay on top of this? You can do that by listening to FAIRtax Power Radio, the weekly podcast.  The FAIRtax Guys post a new podcast every Friday morning.  We discuss the latest developments in Washington and how you can be part of the solution. We also review the many benefits of the FAIRtax and we remind everyone that the FAIRtax is the ONLY legislation in Congress that eliminates the income tax and the IRS.
 
Please help us spread the word about the FAIRtax and FAIRtax Power Radio.  Telling your friends and relatives about FAIRtax Power Radio is a great way to help us garner more support.  It is the American people who will demand REAL tax reform. 

You can listen to FTPR on any platform - Mac or PC, iPhone or Android. And it’s 100% free. 
 
Listen on Spreaker, iTunes or iHeart Radio on your computer or smartphone. Spreaker, iTunes and iHeart all have free apps.  But the easiest way to listen to FTPR on your smartphone is by downloading the free FTPR app.  Just search for “FAIRtax Power Radio” in your app store, download the app and start listening.  As stated earlier, we post a new episode every Friday morning.  Please listen in and tell everyone you know about the FAIRtax Power Radio podcasts.  
 
As stated earlier, we post a new episode every Friday morning.  Please listen in and tell everyone you know about the FAIRtax Power Radio podcasts. 
 
Learn more. Get involved. Make it happen!
 
AMERICA'S BIG SOLUTION - AN INTRO TO THE FAIRTAX

IN ELECTRONIC OR PRINT FORM
 
Some people prefer to read a book about a new subject instead of searching a website.  If you know someone like this, we have the solution for you, AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION which is an inexpensive e-book written as an introduction to the FAIRtax.
 
AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION is available for only $2.99 for the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple iOS.  
 
AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION by Florida Volunteer Terry Tibbetts has been written to give people of all ages a basic introduction to the FAIRtax and encourage them to learn more about the most thoroughly researched tax plan ever presented to Congress.  It is a light hearted approach to a very serious subject. 
 
Everyone needs to know that we have an alternative to federal income tax and the criminal enterprise known as the IRS.  Everyone needs hope and AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION provides that hope. AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION is an alternative to the social media platforms competing for our attention. 
 
You can even purchase a print copy at the same Amazon link above for $9.25.  Regardless of whether you choose the electronic format or the print format, you’ll find AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION will give someone the boost they need to begin their study of the FAIRtax and the suggested resources to learn more. Buy AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION now!
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Links for Further Information

Please, if you'd like to keep studying and promoting the FAIRtax, make yourself familiar with the links below. We always do our best to keep our AFFT community up to date, and you can stay ahead of the curve using these convenient sites.

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 SUPPLYING EDUCATIONAL/PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
 
SPECIAL PROMO EVENT MAY 9-30th 2017



Celebrating
Mother’s day, 14th

Armed Forces Day, 20th

Memorial Day, 29th
 
We are pleased to announce that your FAIRtax℠ Store now has in-house embroidering capability. This is a GREAT time to stock up on FAIRtax℠ garments during our MAY 9-30th special promo event.
 
We are offering:

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For every FAIRtax℠ umbrella ordered, receive free 100 Palm Cards and one free tote bag.
 
Remember, when you order your garments, don’t forget your FAIRtax℠ umbrella for protection from the May showers. Also, a nice gift for Mother’s Day.
 
Most of our FAIRtax℠ items are in red/white/blue colors which fit nicely with Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day celebrations.
 
Don’t forget to order some scrolling banners, shown above, and equally important your small FAIRtax℠ informational business cards with the 2017 prebate numbers on the back.
 
To make this May event really special, we are offering FREE shipping and handling on all items ordered during the time period of May 9-30th.
 
Now, this is a great deal!



Click here to visit the FAIRtax℠ Store.

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