Dimples you can sit argue specifics ALL DAY LONG what the bulk of embedded taxes come from. We have these BS arguments because because of your beloved hideous MARXIST Progressive tax code that punishes the successful and rewards the poor. Nevertheless, your argument is pointless because it will not make embedded taxes GO AWAY.
So are you for the status quo?
To address your post directly:
... your beloved hideous MARXIST Progressive tax code ...
First, it's not mine.
Second, it is not "beloved."
Third, if Marxist connections are your demon, then I'm sure you agree the so-called FairTax "prebate" is an implementation of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." After all, those without means will pay less than they should, those with ability will pay more than they should.
And finally, if progressivity is one of your demons, then you should be wary of the progressivity of the FairTax ... the so-called "prebate" is a progressivity mechanism.
As for the "pointlessness" of my argument, the FairTax proponents (yourself included) have spent countless hours defending their claims. If the argument was so "pointless," one would think that such debates would never be given the time of day by you folks ... it would be pointless to do otherwise.
The point of this and other debates on the FairTax has been and continues to be about whether several of its central claims are indeed true. If they are, then I and many others would be inclined to support such a program. However, if they are not, we do ourselves a favor by addressing those issues now, directly, and without fear. So far, this particular claim about price reduction appears to have been oversold; even the originator of the research behind the claim says so. Yet, you and others here, like ostriches bury your heads in the sands of riteous indignation.
Look, if the FairTax is going to succeed, it will not do so my basing its advocacy on proven errors.
You would do yourself a favor to reserve your rock throwing for debates where you can add some value.
Whether you like it or not, the devil here is in the details. Arguing specifics is the only way to shine light into the dark corners of the impossible promises.
To directly answer your question, I am neither FOR the status quo nor AGAINST the FairTax.
I AM against irrational, impossible, and problematic promises. I AM against naive notions that once instituted that ANY new system is immune from tampering. I AM against the notion that any revenue neutral tax system somehow lessens everyone's tax burden. I AM against the notion that those who dare ask questions or point out inconsistencies have nefarious intent.
I AM for tax system reform (including wholesale replacement of today's system of income taxation) provided that such reform can live up to its claims. Time will tell if the FairTax is such a system; but as long as its proponents continue to sell it by making false claims, I'm not buying.