I suspect that there are too many entitled people now. Its too late and Sanders would be more likely to be elected than Trump. Hillary is dead in the water. Its Biden or Sanders on the democratic side, and probably Trump on the Repub side (but its too early yet to tell- media hates trump and might succeed in demolishing him)

Sort of...but how many places can you set down roots without paying or being beholden to anyone. Anyplace "free" is like depleted and with little resources and considered of no use to any country. Lets be realistic.

That's the point. Where is the comprehensive, yet simple, plan John Galt and Judge Narragansett would enact? Where is the plan to abolish most government functions, and the taxes that go with it?

Donald Trump, you're no Midas Mulligan, nor any Henry Rearden, either. Not with this plan, as you have laid it out.

Look at the original Constitution. It didn't include personal income taxes OR corporate income taxes. Why? Because they are a tool of government coercion - especially when they are allowed to create different tax brackets for different people dependent on their incomes. What can be more anti-producer than that?

Any tax scheme can be manipulated to serve the ends of government. But our current tax policies encourage US companies to go outside the US for manufacturing and production. That has to change. We have to get back to manufacturing things inside our own borders. That's not protectionism, that's the basis of the power. If we can provide the needs of our own citizens, we don't give up the power of trade to other nations in times of disagreement, and any economic or other treaties we sign are done so from a position of power. Case in point: China. Because China controls a large part of our manufacturing base, they also control a large portion of our economy and have power over us - despite being a communist and anti-capitalist government! You really want them to have control over us? Tariffs give us the ability to penalize those who try to take advantage of us economically. Tariffs are the perfect tool for international trade relations!

That would be wonderful!
My options remain open about who I vote for, though.

First the man has to be elected then and only then will we see if he can get the taxes reduced. I suspect neither will take place.

I agree, if we are not going to have real tax reform such as a Flat or Fair tax, then let everyone have skin in the game and pay something. At least then if they are paying they may understand that there is no such thing as a "freebie" including all of the entitlements that are already taken for granted.

Can you say "Votes for sale! Cheap!"....

You mean protectionist trade policies? Why not either a Flat Tax or a Fair tax system (consumption based) as a better way of doing it?

Protectionism only means that you are going to pay for bloated salaries and benefits. Ayn Rand would not care for that approach would she?

Trade tariffs can be manipulated, too. Lincoln and his GOP forced them on the agrarian, dependent-on-imports south and murdered 600,000 people in the GOP's unnecessary Corporatocracy War.

If any tax is really needed above voluntary user fees, I'd rather see a tax on consumption excluding real necessities (e.g., food, water, basic shelter, vitamins/supplements/drugs, transportation, utilities.) That makes payment closer to voluntary albeit still an imposition on liberty. Any tax gives unearned power to the government that imposes it, and transfers power from individuals to government. User fees are preferable because market forces are used to either feed or starve the government's necessary programs.

So! He says that 50% of taxpayers will no longer pay any federal income taxes. Aren't we at 49% right now? Just what the country needs! More people with no skin in the game lining up to get their freebies! Trump also waxes poetic on being for a progressive income tax! why not real tax reform pushing either the flat tax or the fair tax approaches.

Mr. Trump spouts a lot of Populist rhetoric however has absolutely no history a backing 90% of it! He is telling angry people what they want to hear however probably has little or no intention on following through on any of this "Populist" stuff!

Crony capitalism is the only thing of which he has a real track record including paying off both sides to get "favorable" treatment at the hands of elected officials. I challenge everyone to look beyond the hype and remember, it is the true conservatives who have been falling by the road side not Bush or the other RINOs.

For what its worth!!

Seems to me a bit stupid that a person getting a government check from tax dollars is then taxed on the tax dollars they get. Trump's plan can work if and only if the rest of it comes together and drives the economy to or above 3%. Sadly, I doubt that many corporations that go from 35% down to 15% will do anything with the savings but get richer and more greedy.

all taxation is theft...a user fee means you pay your own way and not live at the expense of others...to fund what little government is necessary...

Trump will run the USA like a business. If he fired a lot of the deadwood in government for non performance, that would be good

I. Wonder really. People making 25k pay little if no income tax anyway. They do pay and will continue to pay ss and state taxes. Sounds good to the poor but doesn't mean much

I don't like the idea of ANY tax plan that lets some off the hook for federal income taxes. I don't care what your income or expense levels are - you should be paying like everyone else.

Of course the best tax policy would be to eliminate both corporate and individual income taxes entirely and fund the federal government based on trade tariffs, but in the meantime...

Can't go on record to shrink government during his "job interview" phase- that just has to be done after election. Fair or Flat tax- same argument that it will take awhile to implement. What he can do is work on improving the economy to give room for tax changes.

Agree 100%. It is delitarious for anyone to be tax free. We actually have large swath of the population that get a check from government with the Earned Income Tax Credit. What are these people going to vote for lower taxes, I don't think so.

We make our "where."

He cuts taxes for some but raises them for others.

Agreed.

Trump supporters should ask themselves why this "outsider" didn't go with the fair or flat tax. This will be one of those nagging thoughts that his superficial rhetoric can't cover.

I favor a flat tax but I believe Trump has a major advantage over his opponents. I think most Americans believe that Trump will do what he says. One of the reasons that veteran politicians are not doing well in the polls.

Agreed, but as always...where?

Hello AJAshinoff,
Hear, hear. I favor the Fair tax, but a flat tax would be a vast improvement. Everyone should have some skin in the game otherwise divide and conquer will prevail and those that pay little or nothing will continue to vote tax increases on others. Ultimately I would like to see no direct taxation and the federal government fund itself as it did prior to the 16th amendment.
It is a dream... a golden bygone era...
Regards,
O.A.