You know you’re losing it when you first write: “The 9% sales tax is a major turd in the punch bowl for the average Joe.”
...and then someone replies with the facts: “The average Joe will have his income tax rate drop from 28+15=53% down to 9%. He’ll be delighted.”
...and all you can stammer in reply is: “Spin away.”
You should be embarrassed.
You’re just pulling figures out of your azz and claiming it covers everyone. It’s just BS and spin.