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Seeking to rectify this grave problem, Convention delegates gave Congress almost unrestricted powers of taxation. It was allowed to levy everything from duties on imports to poll taxes on individuals.
This bestowal upon Congress of a general power of taxation didn’t mean that the framers of the Constitution thought all types of taxes were created equal, however. In fact, they were particularly wary about giving Congress the power to impose certain types of taxes because of the potential for abuse. Alexander Hamilton, in particular, thought through the question of what type of tax would best suit the needs of a free society. He made his brilliant case for a tax on products, or a consumption tax.
Why is the consumption tax the best kind of tax?
First, it allows a measure of economic liberty. “The amount to be contributed by each citizen will in a degree be at his own option, and can be regulated by an attention to his resources,” wrote Mr. Hamilton. “The rich may be extravagant, the poor can be frugal; and private oppression may always be avoided by a
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