PLEASE Simplify The US Tax Code

Why can't taxes be simple?

Why can't we just have a 10% federal sales tax on all products purchased (with the government making exemptions for things like food, cleaning supplies and simple clothes). The more money you have, the more money you'll spend -- thus, the more taxes you'll pay. This, along with the sales tax exemptions above, would make taxes fair and simple at the same time.

The income tax, on the other hand, is intrusive -- the government has to know everything about you to calculate your tax rate; it's also smothering -- the paperwork alone is a nightmare, and the US Government has to spend around 25% of the tax money it collects every year to pay for the IRS to collect the money in the first place... so the federal government actually loses money collecting taxes this way! It's like the current tax system is trying to do everything wrong!

This isn't a complaint about taxes in general -- I understand their need and purpose, and they are just part of life. I like having highways, colleges & schools, police & firefighters, and unemployment offices as much as the next guy. But can't we do this an easier way?