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I'm no economist, but wouldn't high taxes on consumption hold back economic growth?


It would likely result in a drop in discretionary consumer spending, but would not necessarily have negative impacts on the economy as a whole. If you tax consumption, investment can become more economically attractive. This destroys consumer surplus in the short run but can lead to economic growth in the long run. Lots of countries in South America are like this; they tax goods like smartphones and video games because they would rather that money be spent or invested domestically.




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