The American Spectator

Paul O’Neill is a focused guy. While everyone else is worrying about Homeland Security and Iraq, the former corporate CEO is busy trying the simplify the tax code. /p>

O’Neill plans on presenting President Bush with a wide-ranging and specific set of recommendations on how best to simplify the tax code for both individuals and businesses, part of the Treasury Secretary’s pledge more than a year and a half ago to cut the tax laws down a bit in size.

As part of O’Neill’s proposal, there would be no cuts in tax rates, and no “fairness” issues addresses, such as the marriage penalty or elimination of the so-called Death Tax.

“This is just about making the tax laws understandable and more commonsense-like for everyday people,” says a Treasury policy staffer. “It shouldn’t be an overly controversial set of rules changes, but in this environment, who knows? We’re ready to fight if we have to.”

p> PRESIDENTIAL PALACE br> Sen. John Edwards likes to call himself “The People’s Senator” when he’s down-home in North Carolina. And he likes to play the part, hiring traditional bluegrass bands to entertain at parties, and really hamming it up with his corn pone accent when speaking to the crowds. /p>

Well, darn if the Sen. Edwards done bought hisself a big ol’ house for his kin and extended kin to visit when they come to the big city.

p>Edwards has just signed a contract to purchase a $3.8 million Georgetown home. Apparently the house he and his family had been living in, a $2.2 million four-story red-brick mansion that backed up to the home of Clinton golfing buddy Vernon Jordan