When most of us hear the words "tax reform," we have negative thoughts. This is primarily due to the fact that it usually is proferred as a way to soak the poor via a sales tax or a flat tax.
One thing I know everyone can agree on is that the tax code is too complicated (understatement of the millenium). The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform (a bi-partisan group) has been working for a year on how to simplify our tax system, and recently released a preliminary report on it's findings. This report culminates the first stage of the panel's work, to be followed by a second stage where they will consider specific reform proposals.
This is for real, folks. Bush wants to do this and he will push hard to get whatever proposals he likes best enacted into law. Progressives should not sit this one out, because with the right political pressure, the coming reform could be to our benefit. With that in mind, I've taken the time to read through the panel's preliminary report, and get an idea of where they are headed. Analysis after the flip.
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