I found this interesting: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/07/AR2007060702146_pf.html They basically want to slide the load of the alternative minimum tax upwards to the wealthier and away from the middle class. I would most likely support such a move over the current alternative minimum tax. I was wondering if anyone one this board can explain to me why the Republicans were never able to modify or even abolish the alternative minimum tax.
because they were too busy getting a $20m bridge built in Alaska that will be used by 5 eskimos per year.
because of the nature of the tax made it previously fall disproportionately on people living in expensive, coastal, urban areas - aka Democrats.
Basically, it brings in too much revenue to just abolish. The only real solution is to raise other taxes or push it more to the wealthy (like they are considering now) - neither of those is particularly appealing to Republicans.