The 16th Amendment

What is the legitimate purpose of income taxation? One could argue it is to generate revenue to cover the costs of running the government. I would argue that this is its sole purpose and should remain so.

The Federal tax code has long since its inception moved way beyond that purpose to 1.incorporate all sorts of social engineering goals, and 2. benefit special interests that presumably vote for the politicians who enact the favorable exceptions.

Congress should eliminate the entire tax code and replace it with a simple and simply understood law with no exceptions, loopholes, exclusions or favored treatment. Perhaps somewhat progressive, since wealthier people have more disposable income as a proportion of their total income and so can survive at a higher tax rate. But all citizens should pay some amount, however small, towards the support of the government and wealthy taxpayers should pay a larger portion only to the extent required by a lean government. Limiting total tax revenue to a certain percentage of GNP would preclude government's never-satisfied demand for more revenue. It would also provide a financial barrier to growth of government, something the public sector lacks because it has no profit and loss mechanism. Of course, government's ability to borrow would also have to be restricted, perhaps based on the size of the economy.