[jounker]

This is the solution. We can already do this. A pilot program was run. The problem is that the anti tax wing of the Republican party and Turbotax are actively opposed.

Instead of developing software, we should be writing our representatives.

[wwww4all]

Democrats have the entire government now, President, senate and the house. Democrats had filibuster proof majority when Obama was president.

Why are you just blaming Republicans?

[drewg123]

Because of Grover Norquist and his organization (ironically named Americans for Tax Reform). Their "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" taken by most Republican lawmakers (95% before 2012), locks them into supporting his policies. The problem is that he views any attempt to simplify tax filing just like a tax increase (presumably since people will be less upset about paying their taxes), and uses his influence to lobby against reforms like this.

[wwww4all]

The president can simply order IRS to give taxpayers itemized list of taxes and income information they have and the taxes for the year.

If the taxpayer agrees, they can just sign and get refund or pay additional taxes.

If taxpayer disagrees, they can submit additional information.

The Democratic president can do this right now, for this tax year.

[eppsilon]

Wouldn't this cost money to implement? Money that Congress would need to appropriate?

[specialist]

It's true that the Democratic caucuses, both federal and state level, are much harder to hold together. Every year there's a bill in my state to reign in pay day lenders. Basically banning usury level interest rates on loans. Overwhelming popular support (~80%) and editorial support.

And every year there's a "blue dog" Democrat living in a purple district which bends to the pro pay day loan lobbyists.

Vetocracy is a tough problem. Our civic legacy is to fear the mob, tyranny of the majority. (Thanks Plato.) So it's rare that mere popular support ( >60%) is sufficient to attain progress.

So, to your point, mere 50% + 1 vote ain't ever enough.

[javagram]

Making payday lending illegal will push poor people who desperately need the cash to seek it from organized crime instead.

There’s a reason those bills get stopped and killed. They sound good on their face, but when you dig into the details they harm the people they’re supposed to help.

[specialist]

What's a reasonable interest rate for pay day loans? Should there be an upper limit?

[wwww4all]

Democrats had filibuster proof senators when Obama was president. They had way more than 50%.

Why did this not happen then?

[specialist]

You'll have to ask Sen Joe Lieberman. Please share his answers. I'm dying to know too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Lieberman

[kingaillas]

>Democrats had filibuster proof majority when Obama was president.

For 2 years. And spent basically the entire time barely getting ACA through. Not a lot of "political capital" leftover for battling to have free tax filing.

[knowaveragejoe]

They only had a filibuster-proof majority for a few months:

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/fleeting-illusory-su...