Tax Reform: Priority for 2006?

[Coda]

x

[walto]

I think the author of that article owes us some stats not only on the number of filers who hit the alternative minimum tax because of the state and local tax deduction, but also on the dollars that those alleged non-scoundrels pay as a result as compared with ALL those currently using the AMT.

"One of the key 'dodges' that can trigger the AMT" Hmmmmm. I'll believe that this is an actual problem (and, if it is, that the best way of addressing it is to simply blow up the AMT) when I see some evidence for it.


In general "tax reform" just means "tax changes" and with Bush as president, we know what that this reform will be largely focused on big reductions for rich people and maybe a couple of pennies off for the middle class. IMHO, the time to 'reform' taxes should not take place during this administration or with this Congress.

[Coda]

x

[tristano's ghost]

But--but--Massachusetts, er, uh, "Taxachusetts," is the citadel of blue-state liberalism. How can business possibly be thriving there? How can tax revenues be up if they haven't already been cut to hell? (Supply-side and all that.)

I mean, isn't this the state that gave us Ted Kennedy and John Kerry? Surely the private sector is merely a staggering shadow of the great unregulated economic U.S. engine elsewhere.

I think the Dems are damned wise to hold off a bit on cutting taxes... given the up-and-down nature of the national economy, and the sheer political impossibility of ever raising taxes again, should they need to, puts paid to their stance.