Clark Tax Plan Falls Short of the Mark

Retired General Wesley Clark unveiled his version of the great American tax cut today, one that benefits the common man at the expense—literally—of the richest 1% of Americans who will see a tax hike. About time the rich were finally asked to pay their fair share? I say yes, but the plan does not go nearly far enough.

It is well know by Congressman and average American alike, that the Federal tax code is too large, too complicated, and overly burdensome on all (yes even the rich), and needs to be completely overhauled. But it seems, since talk of the flat tax (an idea I support) flared and died, there is little stomach—or vision—in Congress, or the Executive, to radically change the code. So, Congress tweaks around the edges, but never really digs into the meat of the code, leaving Americans to once again slog through tax regulations that are more complicated then the manual to fly the space shuttle.

To Clark’s credit, he does propose finally providing relief to those American families making less then $50,000. And he did issue a challenge to Karl Rove stating:

"If [Republican strategist] Karl Rove is watching today, Karl, I want you to hear me loud and clear: I am going to provide tax cuts to ease the burdens for 31 million American families -- and lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty -- by raising the taxes on 0.1 percent of families -- those who make more than $1,000,000 a year. You don't have to read my lips, I'm saying it"

However, his proposals lack real vision, or transformation and falls far short of common sense tax reform, a package that once and for all equalize the tax burden for all Americans. Say it with me: flat tax, flat tax, flat tax, flat tax…