So why are you upset about it then? Either tax systems have differences or they do not. I assert that they do - and further that the nrst is an improvement - and hence is by definition reform.
If you choose to continue reforming spending, have at it. I support you. I've been doing it for over 40 years. Long ago I came to the conclusion that spending reform won't happen until taxes are more visible and eveyone pays the same marginal rate.
The final disposition is that changing the method of collection of taxes can indeed have an impact on spending. As a simple example, simply changing the way we collect income taxes could affect gov't spending - by eliminating withholding and making people pay in cash monthly or annually. Golly, why hasn't it happend?
Don't you see that changing the method of collection could indeed affect gov't spending?
It can only make it worse.