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To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (52007)	8/2/2004 12:13:23 PM
From: KyrosL	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 74559

The beauty of a VAT is that you can adjust it so that it essentially functions as a tariff by shifting the burden almost entirely on imported goods, e.g. excluding food, medicine, and non-luxury services, and having a much higher tax on "luxury" goods. I think a VAT is inevitable in the US, but it will not replace the income tax; it's going to be on top of it, to pay for the boomer retirement.

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (52007)	8/2/2004 2:03:21 PM
From: Taikun	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 74559

Saw that. But I don't pay taxes (not my personal choice though) Remember that the whole idea of secondary education began because the governments (I believe the British were one of the first) needed educated bean counters to collect taxes. Streamlining tax collection creates a huge benefit in one area (decreasing preparation, collection and audit costs) while impacting another (the quality of financial analysis, the interest in an accounting profession). Personally, I think the benefits outweigh the risks. But actually I can think of one other country that has a more bloated tax collection service than the US. Begins with a C