[beat]

Think about the math. Is a VAT actually going to take a third of the income of the average wage earner? No, no it will not.

[AnimalMuppet]

Where did "a third" come from? Why that number? Why do you think that number is relevant?

And why do you think it answers anything I have said?

[beat]

I'm round-numbering. Median individual income in the US is a bit over $30k, adding $12k to that is roughly a third.

And your claim, which is nonsense, is that the VAT will eat 100% of that $12k.

[AnimalMuppet]

That is not at all my claim. My claim is that doing this may not grow the economy as a whole. Someone making median income or (especially) less may well benefit; I do not claim that they won't.