[spokeshave]

We need a flat tax rate is my point. We could all pay a bit north of 15%

I recall a story about Russia after the collapse....having difficulty collecting taxes....

so they started to hire out of work soldiers...as they could handle heavy weapons...

Subsequently went to a flat 13% tax rate and have no problems collecting taxes now.

[allmendream]

On collecting taxes - advice of an adviser to her Lord.

‘Hire those least able or likely to pay to collect the taxes for you. There will no doubt be some corruption and graft - but most of the money will find its way to you - and the animosity of the people will fall upon the tax collectors and not yourself.’

-from a book by Steven Brust - paraphrased from memory.

Out of work soldiers don't have any money to tax and are thus unable to pay. They needed a job and collecting taxes (and handling heavy weapons) seems a task they would be admirably suited for.

13% is a great tax rate. Simple. Direct. Fair.