Gilbert Gutknecht: “I think the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a giant step in the right direction, but ultimately what we need is a much…”

“I think the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a giant step in the right direction, but ultimately what we need is a much simpler tax system than we have today. The idea that Americans are spending six billion hours, are intimidated by an agency that has 110,000 employees, that idea is an idea whose time has passed. The idea whose time has come is a much simpler tax system, whether it be the consumption tax, whether it be a flat tax, or whatever. I am not certain what the right answer right now is. Representative Tauzin does a beautiful job. I hope he will have some special orders between now and the end of summer so the American people can begin to understand what we are really talking about, what the problem is, and how your particular solution will address that. But I think we need that national dialogue, and ultimately what we need is a much simpler tax. Frankly, the taxpayers Bill of Rights does begin to level the playing field. Because heretofore the IRS had a huge advantage and they used the power of intimidation over individuals.”