Matt Yglesias:
Indeed, in the age of cheap computing power there’s no reason the brackets couldn’t be replaced by infinitesimal increments. What’s complicated is the definition of taxable income, thanks to our predilection for adding deductions to the code and thank to the unfortunate habit of conducting too much social policy via tax credits instead of straightforward agency spending.
“We can cut taxes AND avoid spending! It’s like a win cake with win frosting baked by Alex Keaton!” Just collect my money and spend it already. It’s not like it’s the reason you exist or anything.