Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Congressman John Linder signs a FairTax book for Tom Vail Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Angela Bean discusses getting signatures on the HR 25 and S25 petitions

James L. Hannah Jr., was just one of thousands who gathered at the FairTax Rally held at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on May 24.

For Hannah, the rally was about raising awareness for a cause that will benefit all Americans.

In Winder on June 1, a small rally was put together by local businessman Jim Watson coming off the success of the May 24 rally which further sparked the FairTax fireworks which those who want to make April 15 just another day.

The local rally was low key compared to Gwinnett's but will likely be the first of several in the local community.

Sponsored by conservative talk show host Neal Boortz, the rally promoted Americans for Fair Tax, which is a proposed system that would abolish the IRS system instead levying taxes on consumable goods.

More than 4,500 people attended the rally that featured speakers including Boortz, Clark Howard, Sean Hannity and U.S. Congressman John Linder (Ga.-Rep.). Some sources estimate that due to capacity seating limits, between 2,000 to 4,000 people who wanted to attend the function were left standing in the parking lots during the event that lasted more than an hour.

Linder assured Winder Mayor Buddy Ouzts he would return for another local rally at the Winder Community Center.

According to the Fairtax.org Web site, the fair tax system would "free Americans from our current overwhelming tax code and unshackle the U.S. economy."

"I feel that the current tax system is outdated and unfair," Hannah said. "It's oppressive. It doesn't stimulate the economy. It doesn't encourage entrepreneurs. I hate having to make an extra payment to the IRS each year.

"Under Fair Tax, you pay about the same amount but you are taxed on your spending. So the less you spend the less tax you would pay. It benefits business because it takes taxes embedded in products out. It will help our country be more competitive in the world market."

Hannah attends monthly meetings for District 9 held at local restaurants like the Golden Corral.

"At the larger meetings there are 40-50 people there and at the smaller meetings there are 10-15 people," he said. "It's a very diverse group ranging in age from the early 20s to retirees."

Though he admits that a long road lies ahead for supporters of the fair tax system, Hannah's passion has not waned.

"We still have a long way to go, but it's gaining momentum. Rallies make for a more concentrated awareness," he said.

In October, the group is kicking off a billboard campaign in metro-Atlanta to raise awareness.

More on the local rally in Wednesday's edition.

Originally published Sunday, June 4, 2006