[Principled]

...the rebate and it's administrative costs

The rebate increases the rate by, if I recall, 1.8%??? The % increase in overall rate is a trade off for:
-the tax is no longer regressive,
-the political reality is that necessities must be tax free

I too would prefer no rebate. But I'd also like to marry a young blond girl.

[ancient_geezer]

But I'd also like to marry a young blond girl.

Hey I found one of those! Bout 20years ago, a great gal, who puts up with my minor foibles and occasionally slaps me upside the head as needed :O).