Try raising tax rates when EVERYONE has skin in the game. Ain't gonna happen.
If you only knew what a hawk my wife is in spotting sales tax rates, you can stop worrying. She knows exactly what all nearby town’s sales tax rates. EVERY SALES RECEIPT shows it right there in print!
But try finding your federal income tax rate or social security rate or medicare rate on your paycheck.....IT IS INVISIBLE!
So apply some logic, and figure out yourself which tax rate will be easier to sneak through without voter rebellion.
A good example is also the Bank of America proposal to charge $5/month for debit cards use. That is a pittance compared to your federal income tax+State income tax+property tax+Excise tax on utilities etc etc. But what are people squawking loudly about? The $5 charge.