[jcadam]

If you could replace income tax with a national sales tax, I'd be all for it. The problem is, everyone knows any consumption based taxes will be in addition to the current taxes on productivity (e.g., income tax).

In any case, what the govt doesn't take in taxes, it can just take via inflation.

Wealth confiscation via inflation is great! it doesn't require politicians to justify higher taxes to their constituents (and thus face the wrath of their voters), and it can be implemented by unaccountable and unelected officials at the Fed.

[luciusdomitius]

Yes, but it is as socially unfair as government services being charged on for-profit basis. Or even a bit more.

I am the most anti-socialist person I know and even to me, inflation is too cruel of a tax.