Your tax change is confusing.  IN one sentence you appear to be talking about income, and then switch to FICA and then finally (as you do state it) the medicaid tax.

First, congress is never going to give up that power - the ability to reward or punish their pet peeves.  So anyone campaigning on a Tzar, I wouild not beleive (I would love it, just wont believe them).

Second, if you are talking FICA, I agree totally!  But again, it will never happen because of the lies that are being propigated by congress now (I would also set the threshold lower for opt out).  The lie is that it is a lock box and is your money.  By raising the maximum without raising the benefits (that would be just shere sophistry to promise both), it would become apparent to more people that it is just another tax, and not a retirement savings plan.  Again, like you, I would love to see it happen, but do not hold out any hope for it occurring so I would not believe anyone promising it.

And third, I would not go along with an increase in medicaid.  That is backdoor for Univeral health.  However, since you do support that (I think), I can see why you are rooting for that.

As for the other 3, Iraq is an extension of your wish on an early issue, and the other 2 are kind of hard to argue with (even if they do not have any chance of ever happening) as they are common sense.

Not bad overall so far, and the reason I would vote for you, just not any of your fellow party members currently running for the office. (and not many of the republicans either).

That is an interesting comment.  HOw would that work?

As for the flat tax, that would not really solve the problem of the illegals or off the book thugs either.  As neither would still report the cash.  I just paid cash for some work at my house.  It is not my responsibility to report it, I just contracted with the person to do the work.  Will he report it?  I wont hold my breath.

You can buy one for $50.  And an illegal can carry one and never use it (like the Guatemalan in Florida who never paid any taxes in the last 7 years).  As I have become more knowlegeable about some of the illegals here in my area (a friend owns a landscaping business that I do his computer work for), I find that most are hard workers, honest, and dependable.  And they also dont pay taxes.  They work for cash.  After that, I have no idea where that money goes.  But to think they get a SS card and then become regular tax payers is a bit naive.  When my sons got their first real paycheck - and saw the chunk Uncle Sam took out of it, they were pissed!  As I was 40 years ago as well.

Bragging about your extra 20 years of experience over me, eh?