Comments on: Simpler Tax Code? I’ll Believe It When I See It. http://donklephant.com/2009/04/15/simpler-tax-code-ill-believe-it-when-i-see-it/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:56:10 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Simon http://donklephant.com/2009/04/15/simpler-tax-code-ill-believe-it-when-i-see-it/comment-page-1/#comment-446577 Simon Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:04:45 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=14464#comment-446577 Gerry, with the stimulus, we saw the President making broad statements and then punting to Congress for the particulars - precisely what he cannot do if he hopes (as I doubt he does, frankly) to make real inroads into reforming the tax code. Gerry, with the stimulus, we saw the President making broad statements and then punting to Congress for the particulars – precisely what he cannot do if he hopes (as I doubt he does, frankly) to make real inroads into reforming the tax code.

]]> By: gerryf http://donklephant.com/2009/04/15/simpler-tax-code-ill-believe-it-when-i-see-it/comment-page-1/#comment-446553 gerryf Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:15:40 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=14464#comment-446553 Most ideas start with what, then move to how. I'm not holding my breath, but Obama's MO has been to make broad statements and then focus on particulars/a plan Most ideas start with what, then move to how. I’m not holding my breath, but Obama’s MO has been to make broad statements and then focus on particulars/a plan

]]> By: kranky kritter http://donklephant.com/2009/04/15/simpler-tax-code-ill-believe-it-when-i-see-it/comment-page-1/#comment-446479 kranky kritter Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:00:13 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=14464#comment-446479 I wholeheartedly agree with Simon here on all points. Vague ambitions handed to congress will avail us all nothing. He's even taking the high road here. I would go so far to say that the vagueness of the ambitions Obama expresses lead me to question his seriousness. And I STRONGLY agree with the idea of staring with a handful of specific ideas that seem to make sense and might improve things by being enacted. I don't need to be promised a rose garden here. I'll settle for a few changes at a time that make things better and reflect certain priorities. I wholeheartedly agree with Simon here on all points. Vague ambitions handed to congress will avail us all nothing. He’s even taking the high road here. I would go so far to say that the vagueness of the ambitions Obama expresses lead me to question his seriousness.

And I STRONGLY agree with the idea of staring with a handful of specific ideas that seem to make sense and might improve things by being enacted. I don’t need to be promised a rose garden here. I’ll settle for a few changes at a time that make things better and reflect certain priorities.

]]> By: Brian Krenz http://donklephant.com/2009/04/15/simpler-tax-code-ill-believe-it-when-i-see-it/comment-page-1/#comment-446468 Brian Krenz Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:49:23 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=14464#comment-446468 I don't think we need a major overhaul, but major simplifications? Definitely. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but it doesn't seem likely. Even if Obama can find a way to keep Congress focused, this isn't exactly a priority right now. I don’t think we need a major overhaul, but major simplifications? Definitely. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, but it doesn’t seem likely. Even if Obama can find a way to keep Congress focused, this isn’t exactly a priority right now.

]]> By: Simon http://donklephant.com/2009/04/15/simpler-tax-code-ill-believe-it-when-i-see-it/comment-page-1/#comment-446454 Simon Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:39:14 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=14464#comment-446454 A President who has one or more <i>specific</i> proposals for reforming the tax code in part or whole might be able to do it. Regardless of its merits vel non, a flat tax, for example, is a specific proposal. But a President who has only vague, diffuse ambitions for generalized reform is going to fail, because he or she is essentially handing the project over to Congress within certain broad parameters. To <i>Congress</i>. To the same body that wrote the <i>existing</i> tax code, and that is not constrained by broad paramaters laid down by the President anyway. I don't fault Obama for not having specific proposals readily to hand, but I would suggest to him that if he's serious about this, he should exercise leadership by sending Congress a specific proposal, not an amorphous concept. A President who has one or more specific proposals for reforming the tax code in part or whole might be able to do it. Regardless of its merits vel non, a flat tax, for example, is a specific proposal. But a President who has only vague, diffuse ambitions for generalized reform is going to fail, because he or she is essentially handing the project over to Congress within certain broad parameters. To Congress. To the same body that wrote the existing tax code, and that is not constrained by broad paramaters laid down by the President anyway.

I don’t fault Obama for not having specific proposals readily to hand, but I would suggest to him that if he’s serious about this, he should exercise leadership by sending Congress a specific proposal, not an amorphous concept.

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