To see the all-too-common implementation of the VAT, check the links given in this post (#97):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1401516/posts?q=1&&page=97
You will see that all of these countries (and they are typical of the over 100 VAT countries) have not only a VAT but also personal and (usually) corporate income taxes as well. The VAT as implemented in actual practice is a logistic, administrative, compliance, and evasion nightmare. It is certainly far worse than only an income tax system.
An Internet search for actual experiences with the VAT will show you some of these nightmare experiences.
I am just as opposed to VAT as FT.
Then you are telling me that the IT in other countries offset any "disadvantage" of the IT here making the FT less of an advantage.