You could streamline the US tax code but you'd eventually end up at the same point today. The tax code is written to encourage one type of behavior and penalize

You could streamline the US tax code but you'd eventually end up at the same point today. The tax code is written to encourage one type of behavior and penalize another. A normal working class guy would probably love a simplified tax code. But as soon as he starts making investments, buying property, saving for retirement, "going green" then he probably also wants adjustments for these activities. Everyone wants to help the underclass but no one wants to pay more taxes to do it. So the government has to get creative about getting that money. Taking out loans, selling bonds, and getting money through sales tax, corporate tax, tourist tax, utilities taxes. The mentality is insane, we want simpler taxes for everyone, but at an individual level we want exemptions for ourselves. This is the last year I'm filing taxes for myself. Through a pay rise, a new mortgage and a renovation my last tax bill was shot. I was able to get help through a friend so that I paid about the same amount as last year but I know, going forward, it's going to require a professional to keep me from getting screwed.