We need a smaller, leaner Washington. It won't happen if we raise taxes without any coinciding reform and serious slashing of spending.

My goal in getting rid of tax loopholes is not to raise taxes. Our problem in Washington, D.C. is not a revenue problem, it is a spending problem.

For Philistines like me, the mysteries of Washington can be both perplexing and wondrous.

Tax increases slow economic growth. Why would you raise taxes? We need to reform spending, the tens of trillions of unfunded liabilities can never be funded by tax increases, that can only be fixed by reducing spending.

It's almost like a lobbyist tax, to hire somebody out of K Street (the Washington lobbyists) with local taxes and tuition dollars to work on their behalf.

Mr. Reagan will raise taxes; and so will I. He won't tell you. I just did.