Funny thing is, these days no one would even think you need an amendment to institute an income tax. Getting rid of the 16th might not get rid of the IRS.
You have a point. The nation's idiot factor is quite high; hence Obama. And I'm not too sure even cutting off funding would stop the fed. Their recourse may be to simply demand the fed print whatever they require, temporarily at least.
One can only hope the process will educate the masses. Ultimately, it is the states who will have to forcibly act to regain control of an out of control federal government. The feds aren't going to give up any authority, legal or otherwise, easily.
No bucks, now Buck Rogers - is how the feds coerce the states. Don't play along, your highway funding and other projects get cut. Heck the feds even bypass the states and go directly to local the local governs. These would be in a world of hurt without that federal nipple. So states, why don't you at least attempt to return the favor; perhaps by repealing the 16th?
Realistically, IMO, we have about as much of a chance of stopping this federal monster as other societies have had throughout history, or as snowball in hell wouold have for that matter. Gotta try though - we Americans love a fight! ;)