D.C. flat tax

Hey, at least it isn't being dismissed out of hand:

A key member of Congress proposed yesterday to use the District as a laboratory to experiment with a controversial approach to federal tax policy.

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the District, held a hearing to talk about implementing a flat tax on city residents, which would be voluntary. D.C. residents could opt to remain under the current federal tax system.

...At his weekly news conference, Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) said of the idea, "I'm open to it."

Having said that this doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of happening. What would also be interesting is if D.C. slashed its sales tax and positioned itself as a shopping alternative to Maryland and Virginia. Retail is a great way to get jobs for poor people or those with minimal education. But again, that's another idea that will never happen.