[jwalsh07]

If all the hidden taxes are eliminated and the only tax that is paid is the 9% sales tax when you purchase an item, I can imagine that gasoline would become much cheaper

You can imagine that all you want but it is by no means certain.

With a national sales tax every products tax rate will be at the whim of the next Congress. Think about it.

[lwoodham]

"With a national sales tax every products tax rate will be at the whim of the next Congress. Think about it."

I agree that any tax hikes are at the whim of Congress, but isn't that already the case? Herman Cain said it best. Don't elect those who would raise the tax rate. Also there is more tax on gasoline than that graph shows. It represents the final tax you pay as a consumer but doesn't show the taxes paid by the middle men which also increases the price. The refiners pay a tax which they add on to the price, the distributors pay a tax and pass it on, and so do the local jobbers. I remember about 15 years ago the effective tax on gasoline was roughly 53 cents/gallon. I am sure its much higher now.

[rolling_stone]

Ok is it easier to raise a tax on 50% of the voters or 100% of the voters?

The first group might re-elect you, the second group without real proof of the need to raise taxes might tar and feather you as they ride you out of DC on a rail....

[rbmillerjr]

“With a national sales tax every products tax rate will be at the whim of the next Congress. Think about it. “

You should think about it...because that is the case in every election with or without the Cain Plan.