I see sales tax, property tax, vehicle registration, inheritance taxes, etc. as all being unconstitutional. You're paying additional taxes with money you've already been taxed on - double taxation.

The current system is far too complicataed to pull up and do something different. Different programs (schools, for instance) are supported by different taxes. Vehicle registration taxes go towards highways in some cases. Property taxes typically support local school districts. Basically, our politicians have had 150 years to dream up new ways of taxing the citizens of this country. The taxation issue, you'll recall, was the principle cause of the revolutionary war that gained our independence from Britain.

Progressive income taxes aren't fair in general - they hit those who can afford it and give those who can't a free ride. Many of those who can't are also those who won't. In the case of the latter, it's complete bullshit, since they're also the ones most likely to be milking government welfare programs for which we finance.

Flat income taxes aren't much better, as those who make more still pay more, however it is a fair share basis, and that makes it inherently better, but still flawed.

Deductions for having kids is stupid. My wife has kids (from before we were married), and while we've benefitted from that clause, I fundamentally disagree with the concept. The people you're encouraging to have more kids are the ones who probably can't support them.

Bottom line is there's no system that's completely fair for everyone. I like the concept of the sales tax, but to NYMM's point, to make it truly fair, you need to dump all these other taxes at the state and local level, which will likely never happen from a reality standpoint.

Best thing we can do is keep a good balance of politicians in office who are interested in keeping taxes as low as possible. Those who recognize that our economy grows when its citizens have more money in our pocket will continue to get my vote.