Paul says we need the VAT

Greetings.  My name is Paul Volcker, former honcho at the Federal Reserve.  I was nominated to that position by one James Earl Carter, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know.  Presently I am an economic advisor to pResident Obeyme. 

In light of record deficits and new entitlements being enacted, it is necessary that the US Government receive more revenue.  Much more.  That's where the VAT comes in.  It is like a sales tax, but invisible to the consumer.  Well, except for the prices of everything being way higher.  But the price on the tag will be the price you pay.  That is good.  Because really, don't you hate it when you go to the dollar store and after all the taxes are added in, it is really more like $1.11?  Actually, that's kind of a rhetorical question as I would never set foot in a dollar store or a WalMart.  Ewww. 

See, with VAT, whenever Value (the "V" in "VAT") is Added (the "A") to something, the government wrings some money out of the deal.  Example: When the mining company extracts some dirt from a hole and turns it into iron ore, the iron ore has more value than dirt, so the government gets paid.  Then when the ore is turned into sheetmetal, the government gets paid.  When the sheetmetal gets formed into a toasteroven, the government gets paid.  When you go to pay for the toasteroven that used to be $19, it'll cost about $45.  But there won't be any taxes added when you go through the check-out line, so you won't even notice.  Isn't that cool?  And don't worry about those people that say it'll drive manufacturing overseas.  Wouldn't you really rather be a street musician than a factory worker anyway?

Again, the glory of this plan is that you won't even notice.  All the problems of government overspending will be solved painlessly.  You won't even be aware of all the VAT you pay.  You won't notice it.  You won't feel it.  Like I always say: if you are under anesthesia and you don't even feel what's being done to you, is it really sodomy?