Tax blogging

It's good to see Kevin and Matt blogging about tax policy. When I read Lean Left calling for a reduction in FICA taxes I said to myself: Allright, I'm not the only one! Of course, I've called for getting rid of payroll taxes (read FICA taxes) altogether -- which may be a frivolous suggestion. But luckily there are cooler heads out there.

The question with reducing FICA taxes is how to explain to the public that Social Security can be funded partly out of income tax revenue (I know Kevin does not call for that). That would necessarily involve an apology by the government for the inexcusable fact that the "surplus" is currently funding programs other than Social Security and Medicare.

For a rebuttal of more common arguments against ridding ourselves of payroll taxes, please have a look at my "Defenses of the payroll tax rejected".

Also check out my judicious critique of the s0-called "Fair Tax Act" and consumption tax proposals.