Assuming just applying VAT is the way you want to go then yes, VAT should be on all items, including children's shoes, as well as property and many other things that are currently not normally vatable.
Regarding RFT, I think we can all agree that our road network is something that, whilst not used directly by everybody, certainly benefits society as a whole through the goods we purchase, the provision of services etc. Moreover, by virtue of the fact that lorries consume more fuel, they will be paying more VAT into the system.
Regarding controlling society's evils, government has no business controlling society's behaviour other than through the application of law. If something is bad for society as a whole (rather than just the individual), make it illegal, preferably via referendum.
My overall view, with regards to your final statement, is that government should be responsible for the provision of national services and national infrastructure and very little else. As such, the taxes collected can only be spent on national services and national infrastructure and therefore can be assumed to be serving society as a whole, whether those services are used on an individual basis or not.
Dave
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