A Taxing System

"In practice, however, the tax-simplification theme is often a political stalking horse for an even less equitable (though perhaps simpler) tax system. Proposals such as the Forbes flat tax, or the postcard-size tax return, or Gov. Mike Huckabee's proposal to abolish the IRS in favor of (what would be astronomical and regressive) national sales taxes invariably tout how simple they would be, but their deeper purpose is to reduce the share of taxes that the rich pay."

In The American Prospect, Robert Kuttner reviews Michael J. Graetz 's 100 Million Unnecessary Returns: A Simple, Fair, and Competitive Tax Plan for the United States and David Cay Johnston's Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You With the Bill).