The reality is much different. Our present tax system is a politicians Christmas tree of special tax breaks to curry votes and campaign contributions. Obviously what is needed is a complete overhaul and simplification of our tax system. We get further increases in the tax codes complexity and more special tax treatments. First is a reduction in Inheritance taxes for the wealthy.
Wealth equals influence and power.
We are approaching that at present and these tax breaks will only exacerbate the problem. Firstly it is because their own pay and benefits along with their multimillion dollar retirement plans assure that most if not all will be leaving large inheritances to their children which they don't want heavily taxed. Secondly they need to feed their large campaign contributors some special benefits to keep the campaign funds coming in to assure their reelection. The really silly one is the new special reduced rates on capital gains. The short term speculators would have to pay more taxes.