Monday, December 05, 2005

A Presidency In The Crapper

Bush may delay push for major tax overhaul

By Caren Bohan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House may delay unveiling a broad proposal to overhaul the tax code until 2007 or later, despite earlier discussions of making it a major theme for next year, people close to the White House said.

A panel named by President George W. Bush has recommended sweeping changes to the tax code, including reducing deductions for home mortgages and state and local taxes.

Bush is having the Treasury Department review the recommendations and submit a plan to him.

The White House had initially considered having Treasury prepare a plan by the end of the year that could form the basis for a proposal in Bush's State of the Union address.

But several Republicans with close administration ties said it now seems likely Bush may only speak generally about tax reform in the address and not unveil specifics.

"I don't think there is enough time to churn out a policy," said one Republican, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Time Magazine, in its latest edition, quoted a White House official as expressing doubt that a major proposal to change the tax code could attract Democratic support in a mid-term election year.
This is an administration that came into office claiming that change was in the air, meanwhile espousing small-minded shortsighted goals.

I don't think they ever imagined how hard it was going to be when the idiot with his hand on the wheel was drunk.