GROUP BRINGS ANTI-TAX CODE DRIVE TO CITY; NFIB PETITION CAMPAIGN SOLICITS 1 MILLION NAMES

A petition drive aimed at gathering the signatures of more than 1 million people calling for repeal of the U.S. Tax Code is gaining momentum.

"The timing is right," said Jack Faris, president of the National Federation of Independent Business. "There's peace abroad and good economic conditions at home."

People are concerned about the Internal Revenue Service and the Tax Code, said Faris, who completed a weeklong tax-petition tour of Missouri at the Show Me Center Friday.

Faris and the NFIB launched its campaign to abolish the code Tuesday at Independence, home of President Harry S. Truman. Faris will continue the campaign in a number of major cities throughout the U.S. in coming weeks.

He said the NFIB won't promote a specific tax-plan replacement, but will present Congress with "Seven Points of Principle" to consider when developing a new tax code:

-- Lower taxes to create jobs and opportunities.

-- Foster growth by encouraging work and savings.

-- Fairness for all taxpayers.

-- Simplicity so all taxpayers can understand.

-- Neutrality, with people, not government, making choices.

-- Visibility so people know the cost of government.

-- Stability so people can plan for the future.

Faris said in an interview Friday that the NFIB's campaign and message is simple: "Repeal the tax code and replace it with a simpler, fairer system."

The NFIB, which has more than 600,000 members, wants the president and Congress to end the current Tax Code on Dec. 31, 2000.

"We want to present our truckloads of petitions to Congress next summer during the NFIB-sponsored Congressional Small Business Summit, he said. "We want to back the trucks up and unload stacks of petitions on the White House lawn."

Faris was interrupted during his interview at the Southeast Missourian by a telephone call from Jack Kemp's office. Kemp, former vice presidential candidate, had attempted to call Faris earlier in the day to endorse the petition drive. Kemp, co-director of Power America, wasn't on the line, but his office relayed his message: "The time for hand-wringing is over. Rip up the Tax Code and let's start over with a pro-growth, pro-family, single-rate system for America in the 21st century."

In a media statement earlier in the day, Kemp said he commended Faris and the NFIB for the "just-do-it" petition drive to abolish the Tax Code.

During the Missouri tour, Faris has met with lawmakers and small-business owners throughout the state.

"I've heard stories of horror about the IRS," said Faris. "One lady told me she had two big fears -- to look around in a large mall and not find her children, and to return home and find a letter form the IRS."

Another story was related about a Springfield man who has waged a 20-year battle with the IRS over $3,500. "That man is convinced his life will end before the IRS runs out of money and lawyers," said Faris.

Small-business owners are overwhelmed by the Tax Code, said Faris. "They spend time and dollars trying to comply with a code and regulations that contain more than 7 million words."

Even the EZForm 1040 has 33 pages of instructions, said Faris.

"Our reception in Missouri has been great, much more than our wildest expectations," said Faris. "We've had good crowds everywhere, and people line up to sign petitions. We have run out of petitions everywhere we go."

Petitions, however, will be available in Cape Girardeau.

"We have more than 180 NFIB members in Cape Girardeau, and they will have petitions," said Brad Jones, the Missouri NFIB president.

Petitions are available by calling 1-888-NOT-4IRS. The petitions are also available on the Internet at WWW.NOT4IRS.Org.

Faris praised Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Rep. Bill Paxon, R-N.Y., for introducing legislation to replace the income tax sections of the IRS Code by Dec. 31, 2000.