STEP 1: ESTABLISH THE NEXT BUDGET TO BE @ 120% OF 2012 FEDERAL REVENUE. (a) The current tax rates are low. (b) Force Congress to determine which programs are justifiable, and which are good programs that we simply can't afford.
STEP 2: FUND THIS BUDGET COMPLETELY. (a) Extend income tax to anyone who make income. Start wtih income at $5000/year paying only $100, but everyone who gets any income pays income tax. Everyone has "skin-in-the-game". (b) Increase at the same % rate the income tax on all taxpayers to achive the new budget number.
STEP 3: IMPLEMENT A TEMPORARY INCOME TAX SURCHARGE TO START PAYING DOWN THE DEBT. (a) Make it extremely progressive, but include everyone. (b) Tax surcharge goes away when debt =X % of GNP.
STEP 4: REWRITE THE TAX CODE. AFTER 1, 2, and 3.