Get rid of the income tax, and I might be O.K. with the VAT. Then at least those 47% who pay no income taxes, yet receive many benefits from my taxes, would have to contribute to the cause. Unfortunately, the VAT will not replace anything. It will only be “in addition to”. As someone else has already mentioned, the first place to start is cutting spending. That’s what every business and individual does when faced with a shortfall in income. Pardon me; I had a momentary brain cramp. None of the dimwits in Washington knows anything about running a business.
But, a VAT will increase prices by 2x and as much as 5x to 10x as much as they are now. It is the one true American lifestyle killer.