The lead-in article contains a noticeable amount of distorted fact if not outright misinformation and is intentionally misleading in many of its statements.
This author (an accounting instructor in a FL junior college) continually rails against the FairTax is this manner but reading this rebuttal will offer a more balanced and realistic perspective of the FairTax and its effects and benefits
Politically, if there is only one tax rate that everyone needs to think about and keep track of, there will be lots of interest in that one rate as well as opposition to raising it. One key objection to the FairTax is that it is too visible, meaning that it exposes the true costs of the government. This is at the same time its major strength and weakness. Exposing the true cost of the government ensures downward pressure on the size of government. But doing so makes politicians who like to hide taxes wary.
First, the true cost of government is hidden in the debt, not tax rates.
Second, Don't read further, don't think, just focus on the "one tax rate" that we need to concern ourselves with.
“Problem” #14 – “The FairTax doesn’t repeal federal excise taxes.”
True. But not a problem. We want to retain some flexibility to tax goods, like cigarettes, the consumption of which can impose significant costs on society at-large, at higher rates. These taxes serve a different purpose than general revenues. They are in effect taxes on externalities.
Don't worry, not a problem.