Fighting for the FairTax in the Fifth
Bradley S. Rees was the first candidate to announce that he was running for the Republican nomination for the Fifth District congressional seat.
He won’t be the last.
Rees, who lives in Bedford County, is known to the readers of this page for his support for the FairTax, a national sales tax that, if enacted, would become the federal government’s primary means of raising money. Rees is a smart, articulate and passionate supporter of the FairTax, and that has led to his first run for political office.
“I’m from completely outside of politics,” Rees told Media General News Service.
A lot of candidates are expected to run for the GOP nomination for the Fifth District seat. With former Rep. Virgil Goode deciding to call it a career, the 2010 election will see the Republican Party working hard to unseat freshman Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello, who beat Goode by just 727 votes in 2008.
Rees was angered by a Perriello advertisement last year that criticized Goode for his support of the FairTax — and because Goode didn’t make the FairTax a central part of his 2008 campaign.
“He was all caught up with illegal immigration, gay marriage and abortion and things like that,” Rees told MGNS. “… One of the main problems the FairTax has in Congress right now is that there’s not enough salesmen for the issue.”
One way to get more salesmen for the FairTax is for its supporters to run for Congress. But the FairTax is a tough sell because like it represents such a departure from how the federal government pays its bills.
Rees is right that Perriello’s television advertisement last year only focused on the FairTax’s 23-percent federal sales tax. The FairTax is more complex than that.
It would eliminate federal taxes on income, gifts, estates, capital gains, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment and the alternative minimum tax. It would include a “prebate” to low-income people on the FairTax they pay up to the federal poverty level.
Would that be a better system than what we have right now? FairTax supporters like Rees say yes, of course. But it’s one thing to say we want to replace the IRS and all the taxes it collects with a new national sales tax, and quite another to be able to predict how that would affect the American economy.
Selling the FairTax will be one of Rees’ toughest jobs as he works to establish himself in a crowded field of GOP hopefuls over the next few months.
Rees appears to be the kind of man who would be more than satisfied to help a FairTax supporter get elected to Congress. As the Fifth District race stands today, we have no idea if he will get that chance.
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Since you are curious:
The anointed one is elected with minimal executive experience. There is JP to defend his every socialist move to take over our country, damning any that would question the legitimacy of the anointed one’s reign.
The anointed one said, “Let there be a cap-and-trade tax levied on the entire nation for my global warming religion.” There is JP defending a policy that will only restrict the American economy with minimal benefits to the supposed warming of the world, and again, damning all that opposed the legislation.
The anointed one said, “Let there be universal healthcare.” There is JP to defend the idiocy of another government takeover of our freedoms damning anyone that felt the “proposed” legislation was bad for America.
Support for these issues tends to make me believe you love government control over every aspect of our lives, hence the socialist moniker. Definition of diatribe: bitter and abusive speech or writing (you knew that, right?). Need we rehash the last few months of your posts and the continued Rush is bad, Fox News is bad, Sarah Palin is dumb, Christians are bad, where did you get your education, and finally your “I’m a scholar” claim. Need we mention the attacks on a Christian college that provides some level of a moral atmosphere for students to grow in? I suppose you would prefer your children to enjoy the Happy Hour University scene with the drug and orgy fests that always seem to occur at our higher learning factories. Anytime there is an issue that doesn’t jive with your dogma, we have you there to imply some intelligence negativity into the debate. Mr. Rees has hardly begun to campaign, and all you are worried about is whether he is edumacated enough for you, when you know there isn’t a chance in paradise that you would ever vote for the man. Salaam Alekem.
Blah, blah, blah .. time to move on.
Rockit. It wasn’t a half-hearted apology to your niece; it was full hearted (whatever that might mean - sincere?). But the context in which you made the statement indicated that your were basing your opinion of Liberty on something related to your niece.
Opinions are fine, but when you continue to hold that opinion when the facts prove you wrong, then your opinion is worthless. And, I guess I was right when you depended on “real persons” to help you form your opinion rather than relying upon facts - that is where your reasoning become weak. From what I know about Liberty, based upon research, I would never waste my money by sending my child to that Bible school of religious dogma and a school that doesn’t accept academic freedom, critical thinking and the rights of students to have varied opinions (remember the Democratic Club being thrown off campus this past spring?).
The high acceptance rate is NOT because numerous students didn’t apply to Liberty because they knew they didn’t have the grades to get it - those who had that thought could maybe have grades to attend a community college or trade school but not a university. Liberty is the school that monitors internet usage of their students, has a “no contact” rule for couples, repudiates evolution and is not gay friendly (source: Kevin Roose’s book “The Unlikely Disciple” about which chancellor Falwell said, “all in all, I think this book will give outsiders a better understanding about what Liberty University is all about”). Of course, the university bookstore will not sell the book - sound a little like “Big Brother?“ No, Mr. Rockit, this is not what would be considered an ideal setting to one to grow intellectually (not based upon opinion - based upon the facts that there are these hindrances put forth to stifle academic freedom).
Again, this is a whole-hearted apology to your niece if I insulted her. Nothing more I can say and will not mention her again. Of course, I did mention in an earlier post that I did assume that she was a good student and did very well whereever she went to school.
Yeah, this is a crazy blog. And all I asked was for some information on Mr. Rees’ education - sheesh. But, notwithstanding, Rockit, I hope you learned something about how to find a quality university (if that is ever information you need to know).
And Mr. Ernette. Thanks for your trust, but if you check any credible document that ranks law schools in America, the University of Chicago is always in the top 10. And, that, my friend, is a fact, not an opinion.
Peace to both of you.
PS. BTW BIGron. Exactly what “socialist diatribe” was made by me in any of the posts on this blog? Just curious.
JP - As a matter of clarification concerning my statememnt about University of Chicago, I said, “Top 10? I don’t know, but I’m certain they graduate some damn good lawyers.“ This phrase comes from an old English phrase meaning “I don’t know.“ ;) Unlike most politicians and political campaigns, I will not speak to information that I do not have (um, HarvardGate anyone?). I assume that you are an honest person and that if you say that the University of Chcago is in the top 10, then it is a true statement.
I was merely pointing out in my post that heated rhetoric is great, but insults have no place in civil discourse. Thank you for your attempt at leaving the mudslinging out of the mix. Its very much been noted as I read through these posts, my friend.
Rockit, told you to quit wasting your time with the “scholar.” He hasn’t had an original idea since he was in diapers. Same socialist diatribe anytime you attack the anointed one. Come to think about it, his ideas still smell about the same. Funny thing happened on the way to the socialist dream world he craves though, the American people stood up for freedom. Granted there is still a slight chance that Obamacare and the rest of the power grabbing legislation being proposed can be forced through Congress, but I seriously doubt it at this point.
Getting back to the original issue of Mr. Rees, he has just as much of an opportunity to win the 5th district congressional seat as any other republican running. Notice I didn’t mention Pelosi’s lapdog due to the fact the one-term wonder has lost so much support from the independents that wanted “change.” Have a feeling that “change” has scared the yahoo out of them. The fact that Mr. Rees understands implementing the fair tax is the quickest and easiest way to take back control of our government puts him at the head of my list. Not familiar with the other candidates at this point, but once I get back from overseas, I plan to get heavily involved in the political process. I will also become a staunch supporter of the tea party movement. They have almost single-handedly stemmed the socialist lean our government was taking without much support from anyone including the MSM. The power of the average American citizen at its best. Thank God those patriots are looking out for all of us.
Proverbs 3:13; “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Keep trying JP, you’ll be happy one day.
“...I know that, academically, it is a pretty tough school.“ I’m not sure why that statement doesn’t stand on it’s own even when put with the preceding phrase about my niece attending there. My opinion, based on conversations I have had over the years with people who have attended there, as well as people who attended other comparable private schools like Averett or Campbell is that Liberty is a pretty tough school. You seem to think that an acceptance rate into the mid-90’s is derogatory in some way. What you failed to report in your statistical analysis is the quality of student that would apply to that school in the first place. For example, I’ve also known people who considered Liberty but didn’t apply because they “knew they didn’t have the grades to get in.“ There are lots of people who would love to go to Harvard or William & Mary or Duke but don’t apply because they don’t believe they can pass those school’s rigorous entrance requirements.
The problem here is you lied and to support that lie you engaged in personal attacks on my niece. That’s what I object to. I think it’s ridiculous that your could have drawn anything further from my orginal comments other than they were my opinion. How did we get to a point where we have to defend our opinions? I’m an Eric Clapton fan. Are you going to argue with me that Clapton is not as good as your favorite guitarist? How exactly does one make that kind of argument? Better still and more to the point, I’m a Minnesota Viking fan. Are you going to now make the ridiculous argument that I should be a Chicago Bear fan simply because your president hails from Chicago? At what point in this discourse did we agree to surrender our “opinions”? Please tell me, I can’t wait to hear your explanation.
And while I’m at it, please don’t make a half-hearted attempt at an apology. You insulted my niece. You know it. I know it. Everybody that reads this blog knows it. Either be a man and apologize appropriately or don’t, whichever you choose. But don’t offer up the convenient “...if I took more from the comment…“ or “...if I made more from…“. That kind of conditional apology is so cheap, patronizing, and cowardly. And it is rejected as such.
Since I’ve been participating in these blogs, this is the most stupid back-and-forth I’ve been involved in.
Rockit. Your remark here actually proves nothing except that you need to get that shift key fixed - it keeps typing capital letters.
Exact comment (from R & B August 10): “I had a niece go to Liberty and I know that, academically, it is a pretty tough school.“ The implication here, whether you meant it or not, is that your niece told you that it is a tough school. If I took more from the comment than the obvious implication, I apologize.. However, if you made the statement that “it is a pretty tough school” then you are misinformed and not your niece, and to her, I apologize. Either way, it is a statement that has no verification other than your opinion.
The fact is that you introduced your niece to the issue and tagged on “tough school” to the statement. Kind of like Sarah Palin asking to keep her children out of the campaign and politics while dragging them along to all fund raisers, exposing them to the public, and fearing that the so-called “death panel” will kill her child. You brought your niece into this, not me.
Just out of curiosity - why do YOU think that Liberty is a “tough school” when all indicators (e.g., ranking by USNEWs) to the school show otherwise? Is this something you learned from “real people” or is this something you just made up? Just curious, my friend.
And, as I said in my last post - just stick to facts and accept the fact that Liberty (according to national rankings based on their own information and government reports) is not a tough school to get into, the U. of Chicago (and, you, too, Mr. Ernette, who question its ranking in the top 10 - check out USNews - 2010 report) is a top university ranked 8th nationally, and that the President taught for 12 years in the 6th best law school in the nation. Those are facts.
Again, if I made more from what your comment about Liberty and your niece implied, I apologize. Peace.
I don’t know if it is possible for me to be any clearer on this point, but for the benefit of the hearing impaired, I will try.
On this whole stupid issue of whether or not Liberty is a tough school to get in to, JACKSON POLLOCK IS A LIAR. I said it, I meant it, and I’m here to represent it.
I DID NOT SAY that my niece said it was a tough school to get in to. I NEVER SAID THAT. I, REPEAT I SAID it was a tough school, my niece didn’t. Look it the freak up JP. You’ve attacked my niece with insults based on your FALSE ACCUSATION that she said something that she did not, and to the best of my knowledge, never said in any environment.
That’s what I object to here. THE COTINUING LIES OF JACKSON POLLOCK under the premise that if you keep repeating a lie often enough, it will somehow become true. What I don’t get is why JP won’t come after me for saying Liberty is a tough school? I would think, if he is so sure of his position, that that would be the logical recourse; but, apparently he would rather insult someone who doesn’t have anything to do with this blog.
This whole Liberty stuff started with an article about a rodeo member who left Liberty U after failing to keep his grades at a level that would qualify him for the wrestling team. I pointed out, after someone said he failed out of Liberty, that he didn’t “fail out”, he just didn’t keep his GPA high enough where he could participate in NCAA athletics (whether JP likes it or not there is a difference between failing out and not qualifying for extracurricular activity). In the context of that discussion I said, repeat I SAID, that Liberty was a pretty tough school and that my niece had attended there. I mean, if we’re gonna have this stupid discussion, we’re gonna get the facts right and those are the facts. And the facts of this dispute prove JP to be a liar. Now, if he would lie about something like this, you have to then call into question all the other comments on this blog he tosses out there as if they are his own personal interpretation of the gospel.
As a graduate of the University of Chicago might very well state at this point - those are the facts, ladies and gentlemen. You can argue opinion from here to eternity, but the facts speak for themselves.
The Defense Rests!
Mr. Ernette. It was Rockit who brought up his niece initially and attributed the comment to her that it was tough to get into Liberty University. The frustration of providing facts about something Rockit knows nothing about and then he comes back with a statement like: “Name one lawyer in Danville who is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School.“ That is pure, unadulterated ignorance, with all due respect. His conclusion: If there are no lawyers from the University of Chicago practicing law in Danville, then it must not be much of a school (idiotic provincialism at its worst). Unfortunately, when Rockit attributed that comment about Liberty U. to his niece, she was put into the discussion.
If I wanted to send my dog to college and had the tuition to pay, I’m sure I could enroll her into Liberty as long as I could convince them that she was a Bible thumping Christian dog who doesn’t believe in evolution (OK, may a bit of an exaggeration, but not much of one). Liberty U. has over 94% acceptance rate (2007 figure that was not made up but provided by the university itself). When I read what his niece said and Rockit’s refusal to accept facts, I realized that the fruit (niece) didn’t fall to far from the tree (Rockit) - hence, the disparaging remarks about the niece. Two posts earlier I tried to play nice and say kind things about his niece, but he continued to spew discourse about “real people” and proving a point by just asking people on the street. Such foolish comments made me question, again, the intellect of the entire family based solely on the comments attributed to his niece and Rockit’s complete foolishness when it comes to dealing with facts.
Rockit. You are very, very wrong in your conclusion. I would defend the education prowess of any graduate from a university of the calibre of the Univ. of Chicago. I would not defend the educational prowess of a graduate from Oklahoma State (basically, a “jock school”) or Liberty University “Law School” (not even close to the same calibre). I would not defend President Clinton’s alma mater, Arkansas (not in the same class as the University of Chicago). The anger that my posts may exhibit are based upon the frustration of dealing with someone whom I respected for what I thought were opinions based upon facts; this discussion has shown me a person who bases his opinion on what “real people” say about an issue.
I will keep the personal attacks out of the discussion if you will deal honestly with facts (the University of Chicago IS ranked by USNews - based upon data received from the universities themselves and governmental reports - as the 8th overall best national university and 6th of the best law schools in the nation - that’s a fact) and get rid of the foolish and meaningless comments about “real people.“
Rockit. I feel passionately about the contributions that major universities provide this nation and will defend a university of worth. Even Yale is a great university though it did, unfortunately, give us Bush - that doesn’t make Yale a lesser university. Had President Obama not been at issue and a negative comment had been made about a university like the Univ. of Chicago, I would take issue with the comment. It just happens that Obama (whom you discredit for his lack of background) taught at one of the finest universities in the nation - that is a fact.
And finally, Mr. Ernette. You are sounding like a politician, and that is a good thing. You are being very kind to me, the progressive that I am, and I appreciate that.
Peace to both of you, my friends.
Gentlemen, gentlemen. Wow! Heated up a little in here while I was gone. Look, I’m not here to preach, but this is EXACTLY the type of nonsense that has led to people like Bradley Rees running. No one wants to see this crap.
I respect both of you and your opinions, but the vitriole has got to stop. Rockit, regardless of how JP feels about Barrack Obama, I do have it on good authority that the University of Chicago is a fine university with a great law program. Top 10? I don’t know, but I’m certain they graduate some damn good lawyers.
JP, my friend, my fellow patriot (and yes, progressives are still patriots in my eyes when they obviously love their country), if I had been sitting in a bar and you had said something like that about one of my nieces, you’d have been on the working end of a traditional Irish diplomacy equalizer (a left cross, for those unfamiliar with the Motherland). I’m a big boy as I’m sure Rockit is also and I can take it if you bash me or my candidate, but insulting the intelligence of I’m sure a fine young woman for trying to educate herself and make her way in the world is unbecoming and would probably leave your mouth bloody in MOST live forums. You’re right, LU Law doesn’t have the credibilty of many law schools…YET. Do not forget that Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and Penn were all once religious institutions like Liberty…they’ve just been around a lot longer. I’m sure you disagree, but don’t bash people who don’t have a dog in the fight.
I only weigh in because I have an endearing respect for civil discourse. As you will soon see in this campaign, Bradley refuses to take pot shots at his opponent, instead levelling them frequently on the issues facing our nation. Again, I have the greatest respect for each of you, and have enjoyed the banter, but let’s stick to policy not ad hominem attacks.
Peace and chicken grease, my brothers.
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