is putting out a very strong–way too strong, in my view–attack on the tax-reform proposal before it’s even announced: “‘Based on the panel leaders’ Tuesday public briefing, they are getting ready to issue a report Nov. 1 that is full of tax hikes masquerading as so-called reforms,’ said FEF Chief Economist Larry Hunter. ‘As the old saying goes, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but at the end of the day its still a pig.” If President Bush welcomes this report into the White House, it could poison the well for tax reform for at least another decade.’

“A preliminary analysis by the Free Enterprise Fund of the publicly available information indicates the panel is set to recommend a massive tax hike on the U.S. middle class to pay for tax relief on upper-income elites, particularly those who live in high-tax states like New York and California.

“‘The president appointed this panel and he should dismiss it before it causes any further damage,’ Hunter said.”