"Why do they have to give a rebate to make it 'fair'???"
Because the research which went into the FairTax's development indicated that the American people were overwhelmingly opposed to a tax system that made it impossible or more difficult for those at the bottom of the economic ladder to afford basic essentials. The FairTax is a representation of what the American people wanted in a tax system. You are, of course, free to disagree with a majority of Americans. However, those of us who want to see something done on this issue and SOON consider that a fairly important attribute of a tax reform proposal.
I do not understand all the hub bub about the rebate. Why is it so damn difficult to simply exempt food and housing?