The loopholes are largely defined as special favors, to enable those who contribute the most to leftist causes or candidates, to skate off tax-free.
The progressive tax rate does originate from Marxists; and is contrary to the vision of the founders, as the Federal income tax itself didn't even begin until the 20th century.
You're responding to something I didn't say.
I didn't say anything about how the so-called loopholes came to exist. No question-the tax code has been manipulated by lobbyists and others for better or worse. And don't make the mistake of thinking that it is only leftists that do it.
But given that the tax code is what it is, my point is that it is not wrong to take advantage of what is there.
For example, there is the mortgage interest deduction, put in place and kept there by lobbyists.
Would it be better to scrap that deduction in exchange for an overall lower tax rate? Quite possibly.
But when that was available to me, I damn well took advantage of it. Was that wrong?
The tax code desperately needs to be scrapped and replaced. I am absolutely opposed to "progressive taxation" and I think Trump is wrong on this point.
But I also know that fundamental tax reform will never happen, despite what Trump may say, or any other candidate for that matter.
It's not going to happen.