tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554085892956504771.post4401422031927777968..comments2023-09-14T15:21:57.514-05:00Comments on The View from 111: My ViewThe View from 111http://www.blogger.com/profile/01404928803945401527noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554085892956504771.post-74825281855937807782010-12-05T12:47:02.424-06:002010-12-05T12:47:02.424-06:00There really is a simple solution to all of this. ...There really is a simple solution to all of this. Institute a flat tax rate and eliminate any kind of deductions. Businesses and individuals will know EXACTLY what their tax burden is at all times, and they can budget better. Of course, the lawyers and accountants that make a living on finding loopholes and interpreting the tax code will be out of work, but that might be a good thing.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540481712473311995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554085892956504771.post-50457636827423914442010-12-03T09:54:50.280-06:002010-12-03T09:54:50.280-06:00Thanks, Dirk. Actually, Romer was involved in a st...Thanks, Dirk. Actually, Romer was involved in a study that concluded that the tax cuts have a much greater effect. That is not her explicit stance nor her preferred solution, as you point out.theviewfrom111http://www.theviewfrom111.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554085892956504771.post-55715805413219927332010-12-03T07:11:42.393-06:002010-12-03T07:11:42.393-06:00Actually, Christine Romer offers up different solu...Actually, Christine Romer <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/28/extending-high-income-tax-cuts-wrong-answer-recovery" rel="nofollow">offers up different solutions</a> than extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans as a stimulus measure.<br /><br />But when it comes to fighting the deficit, it hardly seems prudent to give a tax break to the ones who are paying the lion's share of the bill, right? If only Washington had maintained the discipline that led to budget surpluses back in the 90's for a couple more years, then a truly permanent, structural reduction in taxes could have been achieved responsibly.<br /><br />And yes, corn-based ethanol has always been a boondoggle. One of the things that first drew me to John McCain was when he ran in a primary many, many years ago and told a hall full of Iowans straight to their faces that he didn't support ethanol subsidies. He got roundly booed, but he was straight with them.<br /><br />I always enjoy these columns, Mark, even if I disagree with you much of the time!Dirk Hoaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03347911551821747694noreply@blogger.com