That is a valid position and I am somewhat inclined to agree that a NRST could possibly work, but only if it is sold honestly, if people are expecting their full paychecks and no change in prices they are going to be very unhappy when they realize that won't happen.
The net result will be lower taxes and therefore lower prices with a NRST. Effectively an income increase, although of course market forces will still apply including supply, demand, productivity, etc.
If you look at the situation as static - which of course it is not, but people like to compare it that way - then you would have a net zero effect, that would be its intent, to get the same amount of tax in a different way.
However, putting aside my own situation, the larger picture with a consumption tax is more tax income (that is now being missed w/black market, off the books transactions) and a HUGE savings in legal and accounting expenses resulting in a sizable increase in productivity - and another increase in investment and wealth creation resulting from removing the disincentive of progressive taxation - and all the economic benefits citizens see from this.
As for "honesty" to citizens in order for them to make an informed choice, good luck. The first step to approaching this would be to eliminate the witholding charade that makes taxes look like bonuses. The second step would be to gag all the lying tax-addicts in congress and wealth redistributionists in media and academia.
That wasn't what I said, and that's exactly why I stay off these threads except to offer my opinion, once.
I didn't say that I "didn't give a crap what we replace it with"--I said that I'm for total reform and that the NRST represents a breath of fresh air.
The fact that you completely misrepresented what I said in order to make a supercilious rude comment to me doesn't speak well for your credibility.
I don't know of ANY elected representative that thinks the IRS is just fine the way it is. I don't know of anyone who thinks the present tax system is fixable. I don't know of anyone who thinks it isn't a drain on productivity and the economy in general.
I think the NRST is a breath of fresh air. I look forward to hearing or reading a debate without name-calling. So far, we don't have that on this thread. And as far as I know, I didn't address ANYONE with my post, just gave my opinion, and then got insulted.
I'm off the thread. But my comments will remain, so that anyone who reads it can see what happens to those who offer their opinion here.
The final consumer price will not change.