Chenoweth Challenger Says Federal Tax Code Should Be Thrown Out Paquin Suggests Replacing Current Revenue System With Flat Tax

Congressional challenger Tony Paquin says the federal Tax Code has grown into such a monstrosity that it should be thrown out.

It’s 10 times as long as the Bible and almost nobody understands the tax laws completely. When you call the Internal Revenue Service, they can’t provide answers, he says.

“It can’t be enforced and it can’t be fixed,” he said Friday during taping for the KTVB “Viewpoint” program to be telecast Sunday.

Paquin, Coeur d’Alene businessman, announced this week for the Republican nomination in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District for the seat now held by Rep. Helen Chenoweth.

The primary election is next May.

“The only way to solve that problem is get out of the social engineering business and get rid of the Tax Code. Go to a flat tax,” he said.

Paquin called for enactment of a flat tax, perhaps at the 17 percent level advocated by Steve Forbes in the last presidential election.

“I think you are going to see tremendous support from the American people on that over the next couple of years,” he said.

Chenoweth has won the last two elections in the district but Paquin said his poll indicates she’s vulnerable. He said his poll showed the incumbent with a 50 percent negative rating from respondents.

Paquin, who with his brother developed and then sold a computer software business before moving into consulting, said he plans to make use of his Internet Web site during the campaign.

He said he would expect a few “sound bites” from Friday’s interview. Using his Web site, he can provide the entire interview and a more elaborate explanation of his positions. His Internet address is www.paquin.org and he said he’s had a lot of “visits” to it in the six months it has been in operation.

Paquin said there is a wide range of issues that concern Idaho residents but Chenoweth has ignored most of them.

He criticized Chenoweth for accepting campaign contributions from tobacco and alcohol companies which he said was inconsistent with conservative family values. Paquin pledged to reject them.

“I would never do that,” he said. “I can’t even consider it.”