http://www.cbpp.org/blog/top-10-federal-tax-charts-1
Some interesting stuff in here...with pictures
I fully understand that nearly all flat tax proposals are regressive. However, I think there's got to be ways to dramatically simplify the code, introduce something fairly flat (income, consumption, VAT, sales...whatever combination) with some progressive measures. I don't have the answers yet, but straight up flat sales isn't it.
I wonder what deductions can be eliminated without performing political suicide (property tax? mortgage interest? capital loss? charitable contributions? .....)
I also ponder taxes on investment income -- I do believe that too much of the (big) investor world is providing little value, but granted way too much tax leniency. On the other hand, I recognize that outsider investment fuels enterprise, entrepreneurship, small business, etc. I don't want to discourage 'productive' investing. But, I'd sure like to find a way to tax the crap out of short-sighted, hedge-type investors and firms that add less value than they take out in low-taxed profit.