Our current tax code is over 9,000 pages long and contains more than 4 million words. The average American doesn't understand it and justifiably hates it. The only ones who do love and understand it - and directly profit from it - are tax lawyers and loophole lobbyists. So I'll make my proposal short and sweet and easy to understand.

I propose a flat tax rate of 18% on all income, with the first $22,500 exempt for single people, $32,500 for single head-of-households, and $50,000 for married couples. This will ensure a reduced tax burden for nearly all working Americans, even as most current deductions will be eliminated. And if we are going to let workers keep more of their money, we need to allow our businesses to do the same. Our current corporate rate structure places America at a disadvantage in the global economy. To regain the advantage, I propose setting our corporate tax rate at 25%, and 15% for all capital gains.

The initial costs and requirements of implementing my tax policy will not be insignificant, but they pale in comparison to the long-term economic benefits for both the private sector and government. There will be other wrinkles to iron out, including those for small business owners whose profits are their income, but this will be a small matter and easily accomplished. And while my tax policy will not eliminate the IRS, it will significantly reduce its size and scope - and as over 120 million working Americans will no longer need to file a tax return, the IRS will become an increasingly distant memory.

Milton Friedman, may he rest in peace, was acclaimed as the greatest economist of the 20th century. And he was a passionate advocate for flat tax policies. So if it was good enough for Mr. Friedman, it's good enough for me - and will be for all Americans.