[Buckeye Battle Cry]

"check out any high school text book to see what a VAT tax is." (My, isn't that just cheeky and condescending of you.)

No need to. I'm a tax lawyer with seventeen years of experience both in and out of the government and I've published three textbooks utilized by colleges and law schools across the country. I know a VAT when I see one. You call it what you want. I call it an open invitation to taxes run amock.

I accept your apology.

[Phantom Lord]

This is easy, and I question your stated credentials if you can't see it. The FairTax and a VAT are two wholly different animals.

Or are you contending that when I pay a sales tax on a purchase of a pack of gum I am paying a VAT?

[Bigun]

I'm a tax lawyer with seventeen years of experience both in and out of the government and I've published three textbooks utilized by colleges and law schools across the country. I know a VAT when I see one.

Oh learned Oracle of all knowledge this lowly and unworthy seeker would be forever in your debt if you would PLEASE be kind enough to explain just how a single stage, point of RETAIL sale only, sales tax can, in any way, be construed as a VAT given the generally accepted meaning of that term amongst economists?