TAX NEWS - JUNE 2010

U.S. Tax: Bikers get fired up about fair tax reform

by James Shea, 03 June 2010 -- Harley-Davidson motors roared to life as a dozen motorcycle riders pulled out of Grass Roots Cafe in Horse Shoe and headed south, police escort in tow.

"We got out there and made some noise — made some noise with motorcycles," Matt McLean said.

His father, Mike McLean, is traveling the United States on his motorcycle in support of the fair tax. This proposed tax eliminates the federal income tax and replaces it with a national sales tax. People only pay a tax when they purchase goods and service instead of having taxes taken out of their paychecks.

Proponents say it eliminates the numerous loopholes in the current tax system and gives individuals a choice as to how much taxes they pay.

A group of supporters came out Wednesday and helped Mike champion the cause. Mike plans to visit numerous communities around the country and hold events that support the fair tax. He estimates he will ride 17,000 miles this summer.

"The type of tax reform that is needed is not going to happen with the current tax code," Mike said.

He learned about the fair tax from his wife, Carol Adams McLean. She gave him a book on the concept, and he has embraced the idea with passion.

"It eliminates that power structure and leaves it to the individual to (decide) their level of taxation," Carol said.

She added that the fair tax can inject money into the economy. Without the income tax, people will have more money to spend and can purchase more goods and services.

"We need to find a way to jump start our economy, and you don't do that through taxation," Carol said.

The fight will not be easy, she added. Many wealthy people oppose the fair tax because of the current tax loopholes that benefit them, Carol said.

Matt said he supports the fair tax and plans to ride some of the way with his dad.

Americans United for Taxation COO Terry Stockham said citizens around the country must begin to pressure members of Congress to support the fair tax.

There is already a bill in Congress, which is supported by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-Winston Salem.

"Jeff Miller is hopefully going to be one of those congressmen to take the fair tax to Washington," Mike said.

Miller, a Republican who faces Rep. Heath Shuler in November, attended the event and had breakfast with supporters of the fair tax.

He said he likes the idea of the fair tax but has not put his support behind the idea yet.

"I have said from the beginning I am very interested in the concept," Miller said. "I'm intrigued by it. It makes so much sense."

Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis had ordered the police escort because the of the large number of motorcycles and cars that were following Mike as he started his journey, said Chief Deputy Greg Cochran.