[Always Right]

(a) simplify Federal tax laws to reduce the costs and administrative burdens of compliance with such laws; (b) share the burdens and benefits of the Federal tax structure in an appropriately progressive manner while recognizing the importance of homeownership and charity in American society; and (c) promote long-run economic growth and job creation, and better encourage work effort, saving, and investment, so as to strengthen the competitiveness of the United States in the global marketplace."

From the Executive Order of the President of the United States setting up a Commission on Tax Reform in January, 05.

Since the fair tax allegedly does all that stuff, why is it the commission so far have not been enthusiastic about the fair tax. Could it be, most people who study it don't think the fair tax will do everything it claims?

[phil_will1]

"Since the fair tax allegedly does all that stuff, why is it the commission so far have not been enthusiastic about the fair tax. Could it be, most people who study it don't think the fair tax will do everything it claims?"

That is possible. There is also another possibility. Here is what Chairman Greenspan said when he met with Congressman Linder in Feb 04. "Oh, you don't have to sell me, I've studied your plan and I don't think any serious economist will disagree with you. Your biggest problem will be the inertia and resistence to change here inside the beltway in DC."

Of course, as FR illustrates every day on the tax reform threads, inertia and resistence to change isn't limited to DC.

[goldstategop]

Simplification never makes the income tax simple for long because politicians love to tweak the beast. Give it a few years and it will be the same ugly, unloved and wnworkable mess we know it to be in today. Better to throw it out and start afresh with the fair tax.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)