[MNJohnnie]

What is to prevent Congress from raising existing tax rates 20-30-50% right now?

The same political pressures that keep that from happening right now, apply even more so to the 9-9-9 plan

Since everyone pays the 9-9-9 tax it is impossible to demagogue raising it as “making the rich pay their fair share”. Everyone know raising 9-9-9 means they will pay more taxes.

Right now there is more ability to corruptly use the tax code for political ends then there would be under 9-9-9. So the same critical comments being made about 9-9-9 apply MUCH more to the current tax system..

So if 9-9-9 “will not work” based on the standards being applied to it, our current taxsystem is even more unworkable.

[yup2394871293]

What is to prevent Congress from raising existing tax rates 20-30-50% right now?

Republican incumbents. Obama's probably just fine with raising rates.

[yup2394871293]

Since everyone pays the 9-9-9 tax it is impossible to demagogue raising it as “making the rich pay their fair share”.

You don't think like a lefty does.

[yup2394871293]

Right now there is more ability to corruptly use the tax code for political ends then there would be under 9-9-9. So the same critical comments being made about 9-9-9 apply MUCH more to the current tax system..

The same arguments could be used in favor of a single flat income tax. In terms of the laws already on the books, you would think it would be easier to simplify the current income tax code by flattening it and getting rid of various credits and deductions. But that doesn't mean your assertion is correct in the first place. The more types of taxes that are already in place, the more opportunities for politicians to tinker the tax code.

[Beagle8U]

“Since everyone pays the 9-9-9 tax...”

That's the problem, everyone wont pay it. See “empowerment zones” for inner cities.

That is the foot in the door for liberals to make sure “their people” pay nothing and the rest are stuck with a brand new tax that can be raised at will.

[yup2394871293]

In any case, any kind of tax reform is going to be politically difficult even if the Democrats get completely nuked in ‘12. That would certainly help, of course. I see the end of the Democrats as we know it as being akin to burning down the neighborhood’s crack house.