A flat tax on profits earned makes some sense to the corporate tax rate.
It does not make sense for individuals.
Why? You can't get much fairer than a flat tax. Rich person pays the same % is a not so rich person, but because it's a % they pay far more in actual taxes.....the perfect progressive tax system. And most importantly, no special interests getting various legislators to chop holes for this deduction or that loop hole
Is fairness the point?
It needs to work , whether it is fair or not is secondary to
it must work.
Having the least competitive tax handicaps American business in competition with the businesses of nations with smarter governments.
If we tax our businesses whatever percent more than the competition , we hand that percent advantage (unearned) to the competition.
From Chicken carcasses to cars , Americans have to be more efficient and thrifty and higher quality just to pull even and make sales , in the US and in the world.
Next time you buy a Chinese apple instead of a Wisconsin apple , this is probably the reason.