On Saturday, June 24th, Mark Gupton turned over leadership of Florida FAIRtax Educational Association to Ron Maiellaro. It probably tells all you need to know about Mark’s leadership skills when you understand that Ron and the board appointed three additional people to take on the tasks Mark was doing.
Mark is one of those people it is impossible not to like. He combines a warm and humorous personality with an intensity that is, unlike some people who use intensity to make you uneasy, an intensity that makes you feel safe—like when your mother told you it was ok to turn off the light in your room.
His first job was selling for Carnation Foods, and if you want to hear a funny story get him to tell you about having to appear as Santa Claus on the roof of a small town grocery store. He had never flown before, but the store owner insisted that Mark arrive on the roof in a helicopter to make it authentic. Mark is a slim man and had to wear large rolls of cushions under the Santa Claus suit and this made it very difficult to even get in the helicopter.
When the helicopter landed on the roof and people helped him out, he thought the worst was over. However, his client insisted that he sing “Here Comes Santa Claus” into a microphone on the roof. He says that he cannot carry a tune but to keep a client happy, he sang.
He said that his wife was rolling on the ground laughing along with many other people. The point of the story, in life you have to do what it takes to succeed and you have to be willing to persist even if you don’t really want to do it.
Mark built an active organization in Florida and was successful in achieving something that is very difficult to do—he got the Florida legislature, in a bi-partisan effort, to pass a memorial calling for the enactment of the FAIRtax. To read it click this link.
Mark once told me that he didn’t play golf and working on the FAIRtax was his new vocation. Unlike many competent and able men, Mark was aware that all of the volunteers were not like him. He knew that many had to confront other challenges and were only able to devote small amounts of time.
When I think of Mark, I often recall a statement by the great painter John James Audubon, “Great men show politeness in a particular way; a smile suffices to assure you that you are welcome, and keep about their avocations as if you were a member of the family.”
Mark was such stable part of our lives that it was a great shock when he announced the reasons that he was going to have to step down from leadership of FFTEA. After the shock wore off a bit, Mark helped us see that Ron Maiellaro could take over.
One of the true characteristics of a great leader is if your job can be filled by a successor without missing a step. Mark built an organization that will continue to exist and prosper. Already, Ron and his new team are moving ahead.
Mark, it never would have been possible for us to leave the board meeting last Saturday and know that FFTEA was going to continue without all of your work and without your example and without your leadership.
It was very comforting when you told me that you were not leaving the FAIRtax movement but just stepping into a different role that your other responsibilities was demanding. You in fact insisted that we keep in frequent contact and that you were eager to contribute.
Some years ago I read a statement by Charles de Gaulle that is appropriate here. “Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.”
Mark, you are a great man because it never occurred to you to be anything else. Thanks for everything my dear friend.
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.
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 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.
YOUR RIGHTS ARE ROUTINELY IGNORED BY THE IRS?
FAIRTAX POWER RADIO EPISODE #63
What are your rights under the Bill of Rights? And why is the IRS allowed to routinely ignore our Bill of Rights? FAIRtax Power Radio grapples with this very important issue in this week’s episode. These are YOUR rights; help us protect them.
And don’t miss last week’s episode. Will rents go up 23% under the FAIRtax? No, they won’t. And The FAIRtax Guys interview the man with the figures to prove it. Also, renters, like all other citizens, will prosper under the FAIRtax. Pat Gianinni has the proof! Figures don’t lie.
FAIRtax Power Radio is a great way to keep up to date with tax reform efforts in Washington.
Please help us spread the word about the FAIRtax and FAIRtax Power Radio. Telling your friends and relatives about our free weekly podcasts is a great way to help us garner more support. Help us keep America informed for it is the American people who must 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
FOR THOSE WHO DON’T TWEET TO THE PRESIDENT
If you know someone who doesn’t spend all their time Tweeting and Sharing but would appreciate a quick introduction to the FAIRtax, this book is just what they need. 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 them, 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!
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.
- The website of Americans for Fair Taxation
- The FAIRtax website at which you can get involved to help make it happen.
- The Facebook page for Americans for Fair Taxation
- The Facebook page for The FAIRtax Guys
- The Twitter page for Americans for Fair Taxation
- PopVox - Connecting people and lawmakers for more effective participation and better governing
- YouTube channel for AFFT
- Provides FAIRtax promotional materials with authorized AFFT logos.
- Do your shopping, save money and support the AFFT
AFFT National LOGO Store
SUPPLYING EDUCATIONAL/PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
GREAT STORE NEWS
2017 -- SITE-WIDE 20% DISCOUNT PLUS FREE S/H
On the fourth of July we celebrate our Independence Day wherein the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American Colonies will regard themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and that they would no longer be part of the British Empire. It all happened on July 4th, 1776. A similar movement is gaining steam to replace the current Federal Income Tax System with a simple, efficient, and visible Federal Consumption Tax called the FAIRtax℠, HR-25 and sister Bill S-18.
In support of a new proposed Federal Holiday, The Tax Independence Day, i.e., passage of the FAIRtax in Congress, the Store is pleased to offer for the month of July 2017, a 20% discount on all educational promotional supplies plus free shipping/handling on all orders. When you enter the Store, you will see on the home page, a discount code which you simply enter during the checkout process and you will receive a 20% discount on your complete order.
If you haven’t visited the Store lately, here is a partial list of the educational promotional items you will find on the www.fairtaxlogostore.org web site:
Educational Palm Cards, Vehicle Sun Shades, Banners, Bumper Stickers, Educational Business cards, Event Stickers and Aprons, Pens, Polo Shirts and Hats, Umbrellas, Tote Bags, and Educational Books plus many other items.
July is the month to visit the FAIRtax Store and purchase your supply of FAIRtax Educational Material that you can proudly present/display during summer activities.
Click here to visit the FAIRtax℠ Store.
Thank You For Opening The FAIRtax Chronicles, Our Sponsored Mailings
We plan to do several of these mailings each month. If you take a minute to open the sponsored emails and click through to the website, you are making an in kind contribution to AFFT. It is not required to actually make a purchase, but your minute of time will ensure that AFFT is paid ever larger amounts from people paying for us to send their offers to our supporters.
Again, we are making every effort to ensure that we work with only reputable companies. If you feel that any FAIRtax-sponsored email is objectionable, please email us at info@fairtax.org and tell us why. You can also opt to not receive these sponsored email messages but still receive FAIRtax emails.
Thank you for staying FAIRtax strong!
