If we were to do away with the 16th Amendment, thereby eliminating Federal income taxes, could the gov't make up the lost revenue via tariffs on imports (or some other method which creates American jobs)?
Seems like a win to me, but I don't know where to start to find the right stats.
Ayn Rand proposed a tax I've always found compelling. It's a transactional tax that is completely voluntary, and available for every transaction in which you engage.
Basically, if you choose to pay the tax, then you reserve the right to appeal to the court system in the case you are defrauded in that transaction. Both sides of every transaction have the option to pay.
I like it because it balances the revenue received with the obligations of the courts with regard to the disputes that might arise.
This proposal was within a larger one regarding drastically reducing the size of government, so it was strictly trying to pay for the justifiable gov't expenses like the courts.
As far as redistribution, I think it's better to teach people that resentment is evil.
I'm not against a social safety net, but I think it needs to be one net, not 19.