[9YearLurker]

Reducing regulations, income tax rates, and illegal immigration, will more than solve the problem.

A VAT—which is what you are talking about—is a very bad idea. It is the most hidden of taxes, which Europe and elsewhere have already demonstrated are thus the easiest to jack up higher and higher. More importantly, the income tax isn’t about to be eliminated in return, and so your “shoulds” are all around just dreary tax policy for Americans, who are already overtaxed.

[ConservativeMind]

Well, we've never eliminated the excise tax, either, so any arguments using the apparent lack of an excise tax are bogus.

The income tax did cause the excise tax to go down. It seems many people, perhaps yourself included, believe it is better to penalize the earning of reportable income over the taxing of untaxed foreign goods.

Between the excise and income tax, which do you believe is healthier for a country?

[ConservativeMind]

You evade a VAT by making your own goods or buying wisely for the long term.

You evade an excise tax by buying American.

You evade an income tax by not having reportable income-worthy work (welfare, gifts, sell on the black marker).

Which of these are the healthiest for a country?