They wouldn't, and the idea of destroying the economy in order to try to get a tiny amount taxes out of gang bangers and pushers as well as to achieve the equality of impoverishment of the middle class is so loaded with stupid that its laughable.
It isn't just pushers and gang bangers who would pay under the NRST system. There are MILLIONS of Americans who either don't pay taxes, thus riding those of us who do, because they work in cash businesses, or those who underreport their incomes. Illegal gamblers, who participate in a billion dollar business here in the states, would also have to pay. Illegal aliens, millions of them, would also pay into the system. The NRST catches all these folks and encourages saving at the same time. It would also eliminate Capital Gains taxes (punishment for achievement), Estate Taxes (money that has already been taxed a bajillion times and is killing the family farmers and business owners), and all the hidden taxes that accumulate along the way when an item is produced. The numbers are much higher than you think.
Having studied the NRST for several years it is obvious to me that its implementation would be a huge boon to our economy and would make our goods and services much more attractive to the rest of the world.
Something smells a little funny.
You posted that revealing paragraph, and expect to taken seriously on this forum? Evidently, you know as much about the NRST as the author of this article.
You're assuming ceteris parabus, which simply doesn't apply in this case since you're throwing out the current income tax scheme entirely. This isn't a tax levy, but rather a redistribution based on consumption rather than as a punishment for income.
I smell a gimmick/troll.