Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE - U.S. Rep. John Linder talked taxes Monday with students at Peachtree Ridge High School.

Linder, R-Duluth, answered several questions about his FairTax plan, a proposal to replace the federal income tax with a national sales tax.

"The FairTax would be a tax on wealth," Linder said. "We tax wages. We have never taxed wealth."

Students asked how Linder's plan would affect the price of goods. While the cost of some items would increase, the price of many would go down because merchants could get rid of embedded costs, Linder said.

The Congressman said he learns more than the students do when he visits schools.

"I learned my FairTax plan is sinking in," Linder said. The number of questions raised by the students means "they're talking about it at home," he said.

A few people asked questions about immigration policies, but Linder said he was surprised no one asked about the war in Iraq.

Linder Monday also visited Suwanee Elementary and Lanier Middle schools. He plans to visit Apalachee High School in Winder this morning.