[JohnGalt]

I see your angle, took me a moment.

Are you a lawyer?

Fine, by abolishing with-holding taxes or even reducing it to a direct monthly payment from indivdual to government, and insituting a flat tax with no exemptions, the politcal ramifications would lead to smaller government.

My concern which does not seem to bother you, is that some form of the national sales tax, while better than the current system, will diminish the desire to install smaller government.

As a means to an end of reducing the government's take from 20% GNP to 5% GNP, I believe the flat tax is a better tactic; if you wish to argue on these lines with the national sales tax, I'd be happy to read your argument.

[Principled]

...by abolishing with-holding taxes ... to a direct monthly payment from indivdual to government, and insituting a flat tax with no exemptions, the politcal ramifications would lead to smaller government

I agree with this to a certain degree. However, the flat income tax is going to be embedded in the price of everything we buy, just as the graduated income tax is embedded now... hidden and pernicious... insidious even.

Now to your second issue as to whether an nrst would reduce the appetite of govenment for our money. Well, I don't know if ANYTHING could do that, but very strong arguments can be made asserting such. The argument, among other things, focuses on the fact that under the NRST, EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL, regardless of income level, SES, race, religion, etc (you get the picture) WILL HAVE TO PAY FEDERAL TAX AT EVERY PURCHASE. This means we will ALL feel the tax bite every time we buy milk, beer, whatever. No more "tax them to buy votes from those others".

Any pol who wanted to raise taxes would have to raise taxes on EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL who buys anything. That will put downward pressure on taxes. Pols who can figure out ways to things more cheaply will be able to propose LOWERING tax on EVERY INDIVIDUAL who buys! Imagine, politicians attempting to be innovative to lower taxes on EVERY SINGLE ONE of his constituents.

Gotta run, back later for more discussion if you're willing...

And i've pinged another few to help us out...