Don't you think that your statement (which I'm not necessarily arguing against) is just a statement that supports the fact that the cost of government is already more than the citizens are willing to bear. How could it be possible that the revenue nuetral NRST becomes an unbearable burden when the cost is brought to light? Could it be that with the current structure the politicians can continue to expand their control out of the sight of the citizens?
How do you propose reducing the size of the government, to a level that the citizens are willing to bear, while still keeping the cost hidden from the citizens?
Do you have an alternative?
Not at all. Nobody is going broke paying for smokes in NYC. Even those outrageous taxes aren't enormous from a taxpayer's perspective in total dollar terms. They are just relatively easy to evade and there is very little risk of prosecution. Enforcing sales taxes at 30% will take far more agents than we have with the IRS.
How could it be possible that the revenue nuetral NRST becomes an unbearable burden when the cost is brought to light?
Again, it's not an unbearable burden; just one very easy to evade.
Could it be that with the current structure the politicians can continue to expand their control out of the sight of the citizens?
It's pretty easy to see when your withholding is increased. Back in the 70's the pols figured out a way to spend more without raising taxes: Inflate the money supply and blame greedy businesses for raising prices. We have to remain watchful no matter how they raise funds.
How do you propose reducing the size of the government, to a level that the citizens are willing to bear, while still keeping the cost hidden from the citizens? Do you have an alternative?
Yes I do. STOP UNNECESSARY SPENDING!! There are certainly tax reform steps that are desperately needed -- reduction of the insanely high corporate tax rate for starters (which is among the highest in the world), but the real problem is out-of-control spending, not how we decide to pay for it.