This is a position paper therefore I am interested in what you have to say about the position you take on the issues you decide to deal with. Over the years it has been argued that the federal government has become more and more involved in private rights. This is especially true when it comes to taxation where it has been argued that since Social Security came about the government has used taxation to incentivize behavior. This is to both encourage and discourage certain types of behavior. This goes to times where it is argued that they dont even know they are doing it. Further, that it is creating an immoral society. For example, the marriage penalty literally discourages marriage and encourages divorce while at the same time all the tax breaks for children, including the earned income credit encourage the having of children. While I am not saying that this is the primary reason for the high divorce rate, falling marriage rate and the once again rising birth rate it is something to think about. Tax deductions, credits and so on have been used to encourage home ownership, giving to charity, taking care of you and going to work. Taxes have been used to discourage smoking, drinking and all sorts of enjoyable activities. You are to look at the impact of using incentives to encourage/discourage individual behavior. You are to discuss whether this is something tax should be doing. You are also to discuss whether any or many of these programs should be discontinued. Would ending these programs or some of them be a way of raising taxes without raising taxes? I expect a significant amount of examples throughout your discussion. You may discuss if they work, are they worth it, should they be eliminated, or is it time to get real about taxes and they along with budget cuts have to be used to straighten out the economy. This is to be viewed in light of the tax changes that went into effect on January 1, 2018 and any impact this law change may have had. In other words, the analysis and positions you take are strictly up to you. Also, when you take a position you must discuss the overall impact of that decision especially when you are defending your position. Defend your position. There is no lack of information out there on the many ideas that have been put forward so go to it and solve the nations tax problems.