In the debate on Thursday, Marco Rubio expressed concern with Ted Cruz’s proposal for a VAT (value-added tax). The creation of a new tax could ultimately lead to increased taxation, as the old taxes could remain or the new tax rate could be increased. Rubio’s concern is valid, as history shows that governments tend to raise taxes over time.
This history actually goes back a long time. Just after the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Lord required a half-shekel ransom payment for every individual over the age of 20. This was a one-time tax with the revenues to be used in the construction of the tabernacle (Exod 30:11-16). But later on, Jewish religious authorities decided to make this half-shekel payment an annual tax. Its declared purpose was to serve the temple, and Jews from all over the world paid it. When the Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70, the tax didn’t go away, but the funds were re-directed to the treasury of the pagan god Jupiter Capitolinus in Rome. The Jews had to pay this tax for several more centuries.
There is good reason for people to be concerned about the creation of a new tax, however small or infrequent it may be when initiated.