[FourPeas]

The problem here is: what is food? Is it anything "eaten?" Potato chips? Beer? Milk? Vitamins? Chewable vitamins? Dietary supplements? Chewing gum?

Then, some whacko do-gooder will decide that "fatty" or "salty" or "junk" foods should be taxed to "help" Americans make better choices.

Cain's said his ultimate goal is the so-called Fair Tax, which has problems of its own. The 9-9-9 is supposed to be a stop-over, a way to introduce Americans to a new taxation system.

[Atlas Sneezed]

The problem here is: what is food? Is it anything “eaten?” Potato chips? Beer? Milk? Vitamins? Chewable vitamins? Dietary supplements? Chewing gum?

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My solution would be to exempt food with only one ingredient (chicken, rice, beans, potatoes, lettuce, pork chops, rolled oats, frozen peas etc.) I might cut some slack for beneficial ingredients that do not meaningfully affect the cost or nutritional content, like salt, anti-caking agent, wax coating, water, preservatives, etc.

Anyone who can afford processed/prepared/packaged foods can afford the 9% sales tax.