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The article presents the opinion of the editor on various topics relevant as of October 1982 including the likelihood for the introduction of a flat-rate income tax in the U.S., criticism aimed at U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and the sales of the video game Pac-Man developed by home computer company Atari. The television commercials for the Adolfo perfume and the Forget-Me-Not pattern of bone china manufacturer Aynsley are also discussed.

The author discusses the economic status in Greece and presents his suggestions for promoting economic growth within the country. Topics include the adoption of a flat-tax system on personal incomes and a decrease in its corporate, sales, and payroll tax rates, the need for change in Greece's labor laws which discourage job creation, and the economic influence of abandoning the euro and using the drachma as the national currency.

The article criticizes the response of European leaders to a debt crisis in Europe and proposes solutions. In the author's view French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have been timid in addressing the issue. He recommends that European institutions such as the European Financial Stability Facility and European Central Bank implement something similar to the U.S. Troubled Asset Relief Program that injected capital directly into banks. For struggling nations such as Greece, he calls for cuts in public spending, a flat tax, and reforms to ease the process of starting a business.

The article presents the author's views on the changes that U.S. voters need to work toward in the 2012 election. The author calls for funding candidates who will repeal U.S. President Barack Obama's universal health care legislation. The author calls government mandates encouraging consumers to buy energy efficient products tyranny. He mentions government restrictions on hydraulic fracturing methods of extracting natural gas that he feels are unfair. Policies the author promotes include a gold standard for currency, a flat federal income tax, and the implementation of free-market-oriented health care policies instead of government-funded health insurance.

The author discusses three issues he believes Republican candidates for the 2012 U.S. presidential nomination should embrace. In his view adoption of a gold standard would prevent ongoing speculation in commodities and currencies. He also favors tax simplification that would involve implementation of a flat tax and elimination of all tax loopholes for businesses.. Finally, he urges candidates to avoid lending support to the notion that benefits for Social Security and Medicare should be subject to means testing.

The article discusses efforts by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary to improve his nation's economy. Among Orbán's initiatives has been the imposition of a flat tax on personal income, the elimination or reduction of various levies on small businesses, the elimination of taxes on charitable donations, and wage cuts for government workers.

The article recommends solutions to a financial crisis in Greece and Europe. In the author's view euro zone nations need to reduce taxes and modify laws that restrict labor mobility and discourage the creation of new businesses. Greece in particular, he observes, should adopt a flat tax and cut spending.

The author discusses what won't work and what will work to rebuild Haiti in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. In his view Haiti lacks the institutions and business environment to benefit from massive injections of foreign aid. Instead, he would prefer that Haiti adopt the U.S. dollar as its currency, institute a low, flat tax rate, and better protect investors.

The author discusses a report issued by Nina Olson, head of the Taxpayer Advocate Service of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Olson maintains that the U.S. tax code is an unduly complex one that honest taxpayers have trouble understanding, and clever ones exploit for their own advantage. In the author's view Olson's report offers a strong argument for adopting a flat tax in the U.S.

The article argues in favor of creating a flat taxation policy in the U.S. Two basic issues need to be addressed in any discussion on federal tax reform: the complexity of the tax code itself and the burden imposed on the economy by unnecessarily high tax rates. The federal tax code, with all of its attendant rules and regulations, is 9 million words and rising. Since 1986, when the last serious attempt at tax simplification was made, the code has been amended 14,000 times. Billions of hours of lost productivity--the equivalent of 3.3 million full-time jobs--are squandered on tax compliance. At last count, Americans spent a staggering 6.6 billion hours preparing their tax forms. Clamoring for smarter tax software, better-trained IRS staff and targeted tax cuts won't solve our tax problems. A flat tax would eliminate the possibility of clever minds setting up complicated tax-avoidance schemes. The code would be too transparent, too simple to hide tax liabilities. A flat tax is the only way to end the clutter, confusion and distortions of the current system. Exemptions for individuals and children would be expanded so that a family of four would pay no federal income taxes on its first $46,165 of income. Anything over $46,165 would be taxed at a fair and flat rate of 17%. Millions of people would be off the federal income-tax rolls. There would be no tax on Social Security benefits. No tax on personal savings. No capital gains taxes. Taxpayers would have a choice. They could opt for the new flat tax or they could file under the old system. Other nations are actively considering their own versions of a flat tax. What are we waiting for--especially now, when the rest of the world, including India and China, is determined to catch up with us?

Focuses on the reaction of opponents to the proposal made by U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey on flat taxation. Statement that spenders like the flat tax about as much as veteran politicians do term limits; Claim of the tax-and-spend advocacy group Citizens for Tax Justice that the Armey plan would swell the deficit anywhere from $120 billion to $320 billion.

States that Democratic presidential candidate Jerry Brown is proposing a true tax-simplification plan: a flat tax of 13 percent on all income, with deductions for charity and for mortgage interest payments and rents. Brown has crafted the most novel, intriguing, sensible tax proposal.

The article focuses on a plan by U.S. senator Bill Bradley regarding a flat tax in the U.S., which was opposed by economists Alvin Rabushka and Robert Hall, as of August 2, 1982. Topics include tax deductions for charitable contributions and mortgage interests, taxation of individuals and corporations, and taxes on interest incomes and dividends.

The article presents the author's opinion that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an enemy of the people and should not receive additional funding from member countries. The IMF wants Hungary, which has been negotiating a bailout with the European Union and IMF, to eliminate its flat tax policy on personal income. An argument is made that supports a flat tax policy and a low corporate income tax rate.

The author expresses his belief that the U.S. should discard its tax code and impose a flat rate of 17% on individuals and businesses, with various exemptions available to the former.

The article presents criticisms from political commentator Charles Krauthammer directed towards the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. Krauthammer believes Obama wants to create a European-style welfare state in the U.S. To counter this, the author says, Republicans need to put forth such proposals as a flat tax and health savings accounts for young workers.

The article discusses several European countries that have adopted stern measures to improve their fiscal circumstances and economic performance. In Lithuania government spending has been reduced 30% and pensions cut by 5%. Despite pressure from the International Monetary Fund, Latvia has retained its flat tax.

The article presents policy advice to Republican legislators in the U.S. In the author's view Republicans should promote initiatives that inject free-market incentives into the U.S. health care system. He also believes Republicans should exploit public opposition to a value-added tax, and instead advocate for a flat tax.

The author suggests ways to decrease the influence of political lobbyists on federal spending. The U.S. federal government spends almost $3 trillion a year. Replacing the federal income tax code with a simple flat tax, removing barriers to Health Savings Accounts and introducing the concept of Medicaid and Medicare would reduce the power of big government.

Presents a letter to the editor in response to the article "A Kinder, Gentler Flat Tax," on John Goodman's plan for a simple flat tax, in the Oct. 17, 2005 issue of "Forbes."

Presents a letter to the editor in response to the article "Fact and Comment," arguing in favor of a flax tax system in the U.S., in the May 9, 2005 issue of "Forbes."

The article looks at tax reform and flat-tax momentum in countries around the world. Flat-tax momentum is the big fiscal policy story of the year in much of Europe, with potential fallout in the U.S. High-tax fiefdoms like France and Sweden are feeling besieged. The present chief executive officer of Intel, Paul Otellini, told a U.S. presidential panel on tax reform that his biggest worry in deciding where in the world to build and operate a semi-conductor chip factory is taxes. In the mid-1990s, about the time U.S. reform advocates picked up on a flat-tax notion tried successfully in Hong Kong for decades, the newly free Baltics and central Europe put the idea into practice. A plan put forward to U.S. President George W. Bush's tax reform commission, the brainchild of Yale Law professor Michael Graetz, would have a flat 25% tax on married couples with gross income in excess of $100,000 and singles with gross income above $50,000.

The article presents the comments of journalists, politicians, and public figures related to politics and government in the U.S. as of June 6, 2005. Discussion of suicide bombings committed by Iraqi insurgents; Arguments in favor of a flat taxation policy in the U.S.; Potential benefits of creating private investments accounts within Social Security; Views of actor James Earl Jones on the function and significance of memory.

The article analyzes the domestic economic policies of President George W. Bush. President Bush has made it clear that he wants a thorough overhaul of both Social Security and the federal income tax code. The President shouldn't settle for half measures. His first-term commission on Social Security recommended that workers, if they so chose, could put up to 2% of their Social Security taxes into personal accounts. Critics carp that we would have to float bonds to help pay Social Security beneficiaries during the long transition to a more private system. So what? These bonds won't increase the real national debt. Obviously these personal accounts would have numerous safeguards, including major diversification. And individuals who didn't wish to take stock market risks could have all their monies go into government bonds and/or government-insured bank CDs. The President should be just as bold with our corruptly complex tax code. Replace it with a flat tax, which would also be a tax cut. Such radical initiatives could rightly win this President an exaltedly high historical place among his presidential peers.

This article offers quotes and comments on the national scene. Marty Peretz, editor in chief of the New Republic, attacks John Kerry's foreign policy. Mayrav Wurmser of the Hudson Institute says it has been a tough year for proponents and allies of Arab liberalism who have spent a decade trying to solicit Arab good will only to find the Arab world holds the U.S. in so much contempt and hatred. Stephen Moore is arguing for a flat tax. Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute argues that risky entitlements need to be turned over to private entrepreneurs.

Focuses on the concept of flat tax rate on income as now being adopted by many Communist nations. View that a flat tax would establish a simple, low-rate system that would provide enormous incentives for economic growth, save money and spare taxpayers the countless headaches of complying with the current incomprehensible, corrupt tax code; Information on Russia, which enacted a flat tax two years ago; Report that Estonia and Latvia enacted a similar tax in the mid-1990s; Influence on China after seeing the success of Hong Kong's variation on a flat tax.

Presents comments related to business and politics around the world published in various journals. Change in leadership in the communication sector; Success of Russia's flat tax rates policy; Comment on the U.S. Supreme Court decision related to racial gap in academic performance; Concern of the United Nations in keeping peace; Claim that news channel CNN spiked stories for 12 years to protect CNN employees and Iraqi sources.

The article presents the feelings of the author with regards to the failures of Democrats in the United States. Most Democrats are in denial about their one glaring, elephant-size flaw--a lack of positive ideas. For the good of themselves and the country, Democrats need a big transfusion of "yes" spirit. Democrats should completely disrupt the Republicans by saying "yes" to a flat tax. The Democrats have always said that about Republicans-but never to much effect. The Democrats should not carp about America's love of cars and sport utility vehicles. They should say "yes" to smart alternatives. One of them is cheap broadband--megabits per second, $10 per month--enough to make teleschooling, telecommuting and teleshopping preferable to the gas hog.

Presents information on the tax system in Russia. Increase in the personal tax collections after Russian President Vladimir Putin discarded the tax system and replaced it with 13% flat tax.

The article focuses on a 1996 study done by economists Barry Seldon and Roy Boyd on the flat tax proposal. Those persons earning just under $13,000 would see their money-in-the-pocket incomes grow almost 8 percent, while those making over $65,000 would gain but 2.4 percent. Part of the explanation, of course, is that many lower- income Americans would pay no tax under a flat tax because of the high personal exemptions. But the model also demonstrates that the low tax rate combined with simplicity would expand the economy, creating more and better-paying jobs.

The article reports that a bipartisan bill to enact a flat tax in Washington, D.C. has been introduced in the U.S. Congress. This flat tax is being strongly advocated by Washington's liberal delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton. She and other proponents see this as the best way to revive the District's moribund economy and to attract a now almost nonexistent middle class.

Reports that Senator Robert Packwood (R-Ore.) feels the flat income tax proposal will win out over the national sales tax proposal. How the flat tax proposal avoids many of the problems of a national sales tax; The simplicity of a flat income tax; Comments from Packwood.

Focuses on the competing congressional proposals to replace the progressive income tax. The national sales tax proposed by Representative Bill Archer (R-Tex.); The flat income tax proposed by House Majority Leader Richard Armey (R-Tex.); How both proposals got a boost at a Hoover Institution conference on tax reform; Economic arguments in favor of both proposals.

The article discusses some of the implications a flat income tax law would have on investors in the U.S. Under the flat tax proposals now being discussed, only wages and salaries would be taxed. Interest, dividends and capital gains would be exempt. This means that savers and investors become the big winners. However, since the fiat-tax debate has not yet reached the draft legislation stage, how big a win this could be remains to be seen. Initially, major impacts are possible in such diverse investments as real estate, high-flying stocks, gold, diamonds and foreign investments. But note that one class of investments are almost sure to be big losers, municipal bonds.

Discusses several aspects of U.S. Senator Arlen Specter's flat tax proposal. Difference between Specter's plan and House Majority Leader Dick Armey's flat tax proposal; View that his flat tax rate is 20% instead of Armey's 17%; Views on the popularity of the flat tax idea in the U.S.

Focuses on a 17% flat tax on income. Information on flat tax that would cause wholesale unemployment in Washington's lawyers and lobbyists. Discussion on savings that would be untaxed under the flat tax; Focus on elimination of capital gains taxation that would remove the disincentive to shift money from old investments.

Comments on flat-tax proposals which have been formulated by the U.S. legislators. Opinion that flat tax would trigger an economic boom; Scope for elimination of a powerfully corrupting influence on the U.S. political life; Advantages of the tax proposals for Americans.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The flat tax that isn't" in the August 2, 1982 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article in the August 2, 1982 issue discussing tax reform in the U.S.

A letter to the editor in response to the article "Will Democrats Outflank The GOP On Taxes?" in the "Fact & Comment" column in the July 5, 1982 issue is presented.

The article discusses income tax legislation in the U.S. as of July 5, 1982. The author focuses on a proposed tax bill by Democrats Senator Bill Bradley and Representative Richard Gephardt, the bill's changes making personal income tax similar to flat-rate income tax, and the possible effect of the bill on President Reagan's image. Also commented on are the Kemp-Roth bill from 1980, the monetary policy, and the bill's effect on the economy.