Q: Wouldnt the proposed VAT violate the direct tax clause, 16th amendment, interstate commerce clause, and tenth amendment?
It's insane that the platforms of major candidates are blatantly unconstitutional and nobody knows or cares. The Federal government doesn't have the authority to impose a federal sales tax, and it's not just a "customs tax" at the point of production
A:
This is not a legal question; it is a questionable quasi-political argument, the response to which is shown below:
The federal, state and local governments have inherent taxing authority (think Boston Tea Party). Why? Because they are governments--and because all governments have always taxed the people--in many cases way too much--since before time began.
Laying that issue aside and addressing another: All federal candidates can say and do whatever they want, when they want to and whether you like it or not. Why? Because they have that Constitutional right under the first amendment.
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