Freedom Line Blog

The bipartisan “Gang of Six” has been in bad odor with conservatives for months now because it always has been seen as a sell-out and a way to force tax hikes into law with bipartisan cover. But the deal outlined today actually claims to represent a net tax cut of $1.5 trillion over ten years. It would actually lower marginal tax rates on both individuals —

* Simplify the tax code by reducing the number of tax expenditures and reducing individual tax rates, by establishing three tax brackets with rates of 8–12 percent, 14–22 percent, and 23–29 percent.

* Permanently repeal the $1.7 trillion Alternative Minimum Tax.

— and businesses:

Establish a single corporate tax rate between 23 percent and 29 percent, raise as much revenue as the current corporate tax system, and move to a competitive territorial tax system.

I haven’t had much time to study all the details, but it looks like this deal would achieve $500 in real savings in the short term and then set up about as good a budget “cap” system as I’ve ever seen, without triggering tax hikes. I reserve final judgment, but, frankly, I don’t see anything in here for conservatives to seriously object to.