Yes, I think you may be correct on being better in the consequences for first order consequences, but it is the second and third order consequences that are even more damaging. Introducing errors into the production mix of ever other good in society is not a happy sort of consequence. Also, protected industries are awfully hard to reallocate away from if they have been protected enough. Of course all of these consequences are from the beginning, when the state first decided to intervene in the economy.

Rothbardian_fanatic

Politics_And_Law

Tariff Increases vs. Tax Cuts

Neither Bob nor I buy into the interpretation of Optimal Tariff Theory that holds that tariffs can be net benefits. I only brought it up because there are very good reasons for thinking tariffs are comparatively better than the kinds of taxes we have now and therefor substituting current taxes for them could be beneficial.