The tax revenues would lose another $ 200 billion per year if it exempts the food. It is a foolish plan and political disaster. You cannot win elections when you are telling the 50% of the population who pay zero taxes after filing all their deductions under the current tax code that they have to pay a mandatory 9% taxes on their income with zero deductions and an additional 9% national sales tax on every item they purchase including the basic items such as food and clothing.
Here, clothing is taxed. Is it not everywhere?
I kinda think that most of this group won't be voting on the right side of the spectrum anyways.