Level the tax playing field!
Tie the standard deduction to the poverty level. The poverty level for a single person is currently $11K/year. Make this the standard deduction. In order not to penalize people living together, make the joint standard deduction twice that.
Use a flat tax on all taxable income. This includes interest and capital gains. Choose a number above 20% that will allow the US to balance its budgets and fund necessary programs like the military and education.