VAT and other trends

A good piece on VAT particularly the end where the author (Charles Krauthammer) points out that in the U.S. this is likely going to be on top of existing taxes. Little doubt in my mind this is the trend.

Just saw an expose of the student loan nationalization that is a part of the new health care law. Before Tuesday there were 2000+ lenders...now just 1- Uncle Sam. The upshot is students are in effect paying a new tax (by virtue of higher interest rates) to pay for the new law.