Make taxes visible and felt by all...take the power away from government.
Right, this is part of what I like about the flat tax. I like the idea of Americans looking at the flat tax rate being raised and being collectively outraged. One of my worries about the Fair tax is that, by leaving it for businesses to deal with, it makes it easier for citizens to ignore and think of as a tax on "them" rather than "us".
But my main feeling about this is based on the fact that, as I see it, the flat tax would at the very worst be a step toward the fair tax; I think the best chance of getting rid of the income tax would be flattening the income tax first. With China booming, the U.S. needs to stop its road to serfdom as quick as possible or risk being left in the dust.
Right, this is part of what I like about the flat tax. I like the idea of Americans looking at the flat tax rate being raised and being collectively outraged.
But the flat income tax retains business taxes, including payroll taxes. The money to pay those costs are either in hidden higher prices or hidden in lower wages. That's why your position doesn't make sense to me. If you prefer to eliminate hidden taxes then why would you opt for the reform option that includes the most hidden taxes?