Reply #10: It could be a hell of a lot simpler

[BrewerJohn]

if corporations and the extremely well-off didn't have to be cajoled, bribed, and teased into doing the right things via the tax code.

Kerry wants to give corporations a tax break to keep their jobs in the US. I guess the "patriotism thing" just isn't enough to motivate them. Back in the '70s we had tax incentives to develop renewable energy sources. As soon as Reagan did away with all that, all the alt-energy activity died back. Gee, and I thought our CEOs were all such visionaries, looking to the future with great innovation.

I still remember when I didn't make enough to have any options at all on my return. No way to itemize deductions and save anything. Just add up all the income and look up the result in the table. I guess I wouldn't mind seeing everyone having to do the same thing. But they'll never let that happen with an income tax; it would mean they'd have to pay their fair share.