The Paul And Cruz Flat Tax Plans Are Best Tax Proposals

[Geee]

Investors Business Daily:

As we've cheerfully noted on these pages, the good news on the presidential campaign trail is that almost all Republicans are now for serious pro-growth tax reform and simplification. Every candidate wants lower rates (some a one-rate flat tax), fewer loopholes and carve-outs, and a reduced role for an abusive IRS.

What a contrast with Bernie Sanders, who declared at last week's Democratic debate that he could live with a 90% tax rate on the rich. Why not take it all, Bernie?

All the GOP tax plans look good to us — though some are admittedly better than others. The danger now is that too many conservatives have formed a circular firing squad and are shooting down nearly all proposals on purity grounds or attacking trivial differences.

This is the surest way to derail tax reform altogether.

If Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp and Bill Bradley had held to such a "my way or the highway" approach, the epic 1986 tax reform that collapsed tax rates to 15% and 28% never would have happened.

Which brings us to Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. The two of us helped craft their low-rate flat tax plans.

The plans are similar: Paul's rates are 14.5% on business net sales and wages and salaries. Cruz has a 16% business net sales tax and a 10% wage and salary tax.