All deductions, exemptions, and credits are bad and wrong. And the rates are too high and too many. There should be only one rate of no more than 10% and it should be from the first dollar of earned income.
I have been arguing this exact concept for many years. It is recommended to tithe 10% to God so our government deserves no more (and sometimes I would argue for even less). Just like what our Founding Fathers did when our country was young, if they need more money than that then they need tariffs.
The new tax form, three lines. 1: Total income. 2: multiply line 1 by .10. 3: Product of line 2. This is your tax.
By the way. All tax withholding MUST be stopped and everyone must send in their taxes by 15 April. When people realize how much they really pay and have to write a check for the full amount, and have to save for it throughout the year, they will keep a steely eye out on all politicians.