Burns: Supports A Sales Tax for All Americans

Once I get some classwork done tonight, I am going to come back to the other half-truths and lies offered by our junior Senator this evening, but I think one of the most telling moments in the debate came when Jon Tester asked Senator Burns to explain his support for a national sales tax.

Burns seemed completely unprepared for the question–and dodged it, knowing that Montanans do not favor this most regressive form of taxation. Burns offered a non-sensical response, suggesting that “something eles in the survey” caught his eye. Whether it did or not, Burns did indicate on the survey that he would support both:

[ ] A national retail sales tax that provides reasonable protection for low-income people, with a U.S. Constitutional Amendment to abolish and prohibit all federal income taxes after a transition period.

[ ] A single, low, flat-rate income tax with a large exemption for each taxpayer and dependent, with a U.S. Constitutional Amendment to prohibit more than one income tax rate.

Three thoughts.

1) Senator Burns either lied when he filled out the survey or when he spoke in the debate. I suspect it was the latter, but either way, he was fundamentally dishonest with the people of Montana tonight.

2) It’s telling that Burns was either so unaware of what he said in the survey or so dismissive of Montanas that he thought he could lie about it.

3) A national sales tax would be devastating to Montanans. There is a reason that the people of Montana have repeatedly rejected local efforts by the Montana GOP to impose a sales tax: we believe in fair taxes, for families and workers.

Article by Don Pogreba

Don is an English/Debate teacher and debate handbook author who lives in Helena, MT, and who can't imagine living anywhere other than this glorious state. Much of his writing happens late at night and he is unlikely to respond to your comments during the day.