Posted: Oct 19, 2005 By: Brad Jacobson

Subject: Tax REform

Comment: What I have been able to read on your work indicates to me a repeat of 1986. Or more simply a shell game. When you are done, the tax code will appear simpler and ZI as a middle class taxpayer will pay more. Your statement that the interest deduction has little impact on the average homeowner home purchase tells me how little you really understand about what motivates a home purchase. Lots of things impact the schedule A and if you mess with other items its easy to justify why the interest deduction has little impact because every one would be forced to a standard deduction. Also if you had to sit down and do a tax return you would qquickly see what a mess it is. I have often wondered what sort of person could create that mess. I am a degreed engineer and we were taught to solve problems in a logical way and to me a tax form defies any logic.
I know it will never happen but you ought to get off your fat butts and go out and talk to that average person you like to quote and find out what really matters. I'm sure you think your panel of academics know all and see all but you don't and it's a shame how you treat the taxpayers of america that make it possible for you all to sit in judgement.