In some places, this will be close to 20% in sales tax. Plus a state tax.
In others, Oregon (my state), NH, Delaware the sales tax would be 9%. Oregon has a 9% income tax on incomes >$3000 gross <$125,000. and a 11% income tax>$125K. We would see a drop in federal income tax and a gain in sales tax.
In Washington, Seattle, (DS abode) has a 9% sales tax. But no income tax. People in Washington would be constantly reminded of the government on every purchase. But they would see a drop in significant drop in federal income tax.
I liked Forbe's flat tax. It needed to fleshed out, but his fellow conservatives were beholdened to too many. HC's program needs and will be fleshed out, just as Perry's and Bachman's will.
As a moderate Democrat-Liberatin. I'd let 'them' fight it out, and then take their best proposal and make it our's/
I don't see it as guts. It seems more like cluelessness. He can't come close to defending it. Mitt handed his balls and guts to him in a basket full of apples and oranges last night. Cain's lack of knowledge is so profound that he is cartoonish. Bargaining for hostages? Who does he think he is - Ronald Reagan?
Cain's 999 may be nutty but he's got the guts to put it out for everyone to see. And now every one is trying to show off their's. ( innuendo) Some, we should never see. Seers the brain.
His tax plan next week. Flat, simplfied, and boarden. With a proposal to add Constitutional Amendment to balance budget. {which the R's decided was a bad idea in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006{D's wins majority of Congress, but War's sucking US}, 2007 {economy fails}, 2008 {economy nearly collapses}.
Its a rerun of Forbe's. If you are old enough, it was panned by his own party.
I'd like to see MB's.
Newt's probably will be more logical and implementible but he's third tier.
Finally the idiocy that is 9-9-9 is coming out through the mouths of other Republicans. Everyone else knew how nutty it was a long time ago. Gingrich and Romney got some good zings in on that one.
HC did a pretty good aftershow with Anderson Cooper, where as no one else got any face time.
Cain is going to look better because he has plan, even though his plan is Apples, with the "variety" and specific qualities to be detailed. {The pie smells and looks good, but its in the details in making the pie that will interesting -about March 2012}.
Rick Perry as the nominee would be a great gift to Obama. He's George Bush without the Ivy League polish. He'd be the Sarah Palin of 2012 --- scaring the heck out of the independent voter and energizing the left. I don't think he's toast yet, but he is getting crispy.
I agree with David Gergen that Cain has peaked. He has to lay out in easy to understand language why his 999 plan is not a transfer of the tax burden from the wealthy to the middle and working class and if he can't do that, he shouldn't be the nominee.
Paul's truth-to-power pronouncements about the need to cut back on our military spending is refreshing, but it won't help him get nominated. I'd worry about a third-party candidacy if he chooses to be the Libertarian Ralph Nader.
I don't really understand why Santorum, Bachmann and Gingrich are still there unless it's for the VP nod (RS) or to sell books, and speaking gigs (the latter two).
Perry looked desparate and overly attacked Romney. Looking desparate this early in the cycle is sure to be fatal character flaw as Romney nicely pointed out.
Too bad that the Border and Tuition tripped him up where it could have tripped any one.
HC's program needs and will be fleshed out, just as Perry's and Bachman's will. 
