Flat Tax

The amount of pages of the current tax code is not a sound argument for a flat tax. Russia's current flat tax code is over 750 pages and that doesn't even take into account explanations for all the changes and amendments to the code since it's initial completion and implementation back in 1998-2000. That's right it took over 750 pages just to draft the flat tax in Russia, a country far less complex and populated as the United States, and they still had to make changes to thing over time. A flat tax will not simplify taxes like you think it will. Furthermore, a flat tax will not eliminate tax loopholes. A change in tax systems or code will prevent corrupt businesses from influencing corrupt politicians from altering the tax code to favor themselves. Part of the reason there is so much investigation into Putin in Russia is because of his ability to accrue wealth despite the tax codes or other laws to keep him in check. All tax codes are going to be a complex mess that allows people with the proper resources to avoid taxation. As far as the IRS and the hassle of paying taxes is concerned its a nonissue. The main reason there is a waste of time with the whole process is because tax preparation firms like H&R block have lobbied the government into making and keeping the process as complicated as it is. The government has the means to accurately prepare everyone's taxes on their declared (legal) income. The only people who should have a bit more complication in the process are those who gain large inheritances, own large business, vast amounts of property, or are trying to apply for those loopholes their buddies in the government provided for them. Also, the idea that having to pay more in taxes would discourage people from trying to make more money is ridiculous. I know that I would personally not choose to be poor just to get out of paying taxes. People will always try to make more money despite the taxes if t means improving their quality of life. Anyone smart enough to pursue a viable and sustainable means of wealth is not going to be deterred by taxes. They may complain about taxes as they get into their nice car and drive to their nice home to eat a nice dinner but they aren't going to decide to give it up to pout in the dirt as a homeless person. The only reason the current progressive tax code is such a mess is because the corrupt leaders keep messing it up. Those same corrupt leaders are going mess up your flat tax as well. The problem isn't the tax code its the lawmakers. What many want is a clean slate regarding the tax code. Switching to a flat tax could achieve that, but simply erasing the current code and making a new one could accomplish the same thing. In fact I believe a simple progressive tax could be drafted if the lawmakers ACTUALLY wanted to make a simple tax code free of loopholes. The real reason why the US should not abandon the progressive tax is because it keeps the stupid people pacified. A majority of people like the idea of taxing the rich more. It gives them the feeling that justice is being served somehow that there is some kind of balance. There will never be balance; not under a flat tax and not under a progressive tax not as long as the rich continue to pull the strings. But if you remove the pacifier that is the progressive tax you are going to piss of the stupid people. And sadly they are the majority of the public. DO YOU WANT CHAOS!? There are enough disgruntled protesters and SJW's marching around. Getting rid of the progressive tax would only add gasoline to the dumpster fire going on in America right now.