Let's just get rid of the federal income tax and the federal gas tax. We could go back to apportionment and force the feds to negotiate with the states rather than invade our privacy and tax us out of existence.

"...any serious move toward an overhaul would meet strong opposition from interest groups who would stand to lose from having their preferred status removed. They are the ones who truly pay attention to tax laws."

I always laugh when newspapers condemn "interest groups" for seeking special tax treatment. When the newspapers' "preferred status" (sales tax exemption) was reviewed several years back, it's probably a bit of an understatement to say that the newspapers came out in "strong opposition".

Do as I say, not as I do...

Sure Overtaxed. Lets go back to the origional 13 colonies and get rid of all these other states.

Prohibit any transportation that doesn't have a horse or a sail.

Education only for the wealthy.
Every man to have a good flintlock rifle.
No paved roads.
etc. etc. etc.

Ultra Bob seems to have great faith in the Fed. Of course, Ultra Bob, your logic is flawed. You assume that if the Fed weren't involved then education, transportation, etc would suffer. I contend that education, transportation, etc suffer because of Fed involvement. There is no accountability in DC. The Fed can't even fight a war effectively, why would we want them mucking around with anything else?

It's very enlightening to see that the so called progressives who are clamoring for "change" really like nothing better than the status quo. Whenever anyone seriously talks about changing the tax code the leftists get up in arms ( God forbid anyone should lose any of their entitlement money)
Our tax code is incomprehensible and as a business owner I'm sick of spending so much time and money to ensure compliance. It's really sad when paid professionals know less about the tax code than what I have learned over the years.
The countries with flat tax rates are going off (Eastern europe) and I'm happy for them. Maybe we can learn something.
Great Editorial!!!!!

What a great idea. Perhaps people would be more willing to vote "unworthy" officials out of office if we had that little tax reminder closer to our elections.

I also HATE, HATE, HATE our complicated tax system. I would even be willing to pay a higher tax, if we could just have a simple percentage system.

Too bad our politicians will never allow it to happen.