The Wall Street Journal: on Tax Reform

Dan Quayle: Radical tax change eventually; cut taxes in interim

Dan Quayle: Eliminate most tax preferences; preserve “core incentives”

Fred Thompson: Tax cuts stimulate the economy

In fact, Treasury statistics show that tax revenues have soared and the budget deficit has been shrinking faster than even the optimists projected. Since the first tax cuts were passed, when I was in the Senate, the budget deficit has been cut in half.

Critics claimed that across-the-board tax cuts were some sort of gift to the rich but, on the contrary, the wealthy are paying a greater percentage of the national bill than ever before. The richest 1% of Americans now pays 35% of all income taxes. The top 10% pay more taxes than the bottom 60%. Because of lower rates, money is being invested in our economy instead of being sheltered from the taxman

Gary Johnson: 23% national sales tax while eliminating the IRS

Mr. Johnson is likely to be a sideshow in the presidential contest. He will be less well-funded than President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, while holding policy positions often considered outside mainstream political thought. Among other things, he has called for the elimination of the Education Department, cutting 43% of federal spending and instituting a 23% national sales tax while eliminating the Internal Revenue Service. He also backs gay marriage and supports the legalization of marijuana.

Tim Pawlenty: Just two tax brackets: 10% below $100K; then 25% above that

The Pawlenty plan would collapse the current six income-tax rates into two: a 10% rate on the first $100,000 of income for couples and a 25% rate on all income above that. Under current law, the top bracket is 35%. Pawlenty said he wouldn't propose ending current deductions, such as those for home-mortgage interest. Taxes would also be eliminated on capital gains, interest, dividends, and inheritance. The corporate income-tax rate would be cut to 15% from 35%, and small businesses would be given the choice to pay that rate or individual income-tax rates.