New Hampshire and a few other states manage well without a state income tax.

I like Huckabee as a person, if what you Arkansas guys say about him is true, that is unfortunate.  However, the substance of the FairTax proposal is sound.  No matter what it is better than the current system once quoted as an economic “ship” being held down by a “anchor”.  I have gone to FairTax.org and read and evaluated the material.  I would advise you to do the same and come to your own informed conclusion.  Its a little dry in some parts but always relatable and understandable – thereby relevant to almost anyone. 

I first got interested in the tax debate when I was charged several thousands of dollars in taxes on the US Army Student Loan repayments I had.  Due to inefficiences in the Army system (I'll take some credit as well, since I could have always pushed harder), I was paid one lump sum of $20,000 instead of over the course of many years.  Well, I had to pay taxes on it.  Sure I can't complain, I got my loan paid off, but I was penalized for paying it off in one year placing me in many tax brackets higher.  Now I am currently paying off those taxes with penalties.  Seems really riduculuous to me.  Misses the intent of the program and penalizes me for paying back quickly or joining the US Army.  Kind of like how some banks clear checks before adding deposits, just to cash in on overdraft fees.

Anyhow, that's my story, well, I researched Forbes Flat Tax idea, it seemed better than the current system but it was alot alike just simpler (its a flatter tax not a flat tax), so alot of the same flaws as now.  Then I came across FairTax, my interest was picqued.  It is very sound and as far as my humble mind can assess (BA Washington University, working on a Masters, Lieutenant/Officer US Army, IQ supposedly 130-150, yada, yada, yada).  I think you sound check it out. 

You don't have to like a candidate to like his idea.  The opposite hold true too, you can love a candidate and shouldn't love his ideas (e.g. Adolf Hitler in post WWI Germany).  Any how the campaign is grassroots and bi partisan.  I consider myself a Libertarian, with some Democratic leanings and Republican leanings too.  Basically, I am socially liberal but fiscally conservative.  To me, the Dems usually have good hearts but less brains.  The republicans have more brains but less heart.  Libertarians (check them out too if you can) are the best of both worlds, however, the cannot get a foothold in the current bipartisan government no matter how good their ideas are.  Anyhow, don't take it from me, but GO LEARN and DECIDE for yourselves.

Good Luck and Let's all Make a Better Future, all anybody can ask for. 

Dirk has also left out the fact that not only did Huckabee raise taxes, but he increase government spending in AR 65% in his first 8 years as Governor.

He pushed through a major tax increase here, (largest in state history I believe)  by telling the people that it was needed to cover the impending tax shortfall we were about to have.  So congress passed it, he signed it, Republicans praised Huckleberry for his fiscal responsibility

The way I read it, my middle-class tax rate is going to go up under this plan.

BUt I suspect most people don't bother to read it.

Effective.

Huckabee puts listeners at ease, and reassures them through clear concepts and a natural, integrated manner of communication (no doubt something well-cultivated as a pastor). He's not demanding, like a Ron Paul, nor is he as “well-scripted” as Romney, nor as mechanical-squinty like Brownback.

Most importantly, Huckabee convinces many that he is ONE with the FairTax grassroots movement. While many – like Romney, and others, who are invested in the current income tax system – seek to demagog (1) the well-researched FairTax plan, its acceptance in the professional / academic community (2) continues to grow. Failure to enact the FairTax – choosing instead to try to “flatten” a NON-FLATTENABLE income tax system – will result in an irrevocable economic meltdown (3)!

Just take a look at the WEAK response Romney followed Huckabee with on last weekend's “This Week with Geo. Stephanopoulos (4)”

Here is why the FairTax MUST replace the income tax. It's:

Eliminate the income tax and replace it with nothing.

Sounds fair to me.