Mark S wrote - " It also ensures that everybody pays SOMETHING, not like the current system where 47% of taxpayers pay NOTHING in federal taxes and the rest of us have to support them. " And THAT is why it will never pass. Everyone is abandoning Romney for his comments about Obama winning because of gifts. He did. He won because of the gift of no taxes for a percentage of the American people that will always vote for the party that promises no taxes. If tomorrow the Democrats started pushing for all Americans to pay a portion of the tax bill and Republicans started pushing for just the rich to pay more so the moochers didn't have to, the Republicans would be swept into office.