I agree with most folks here that directed taxes/subsidies are obnoxious, and often go haywire. There is an analogy: Pay for Performance. If you run a company, you know the advantages and the pitfalls.
I do not favor of totally flat taxes (and presumably zero subsidies), just as I do not favor flat payroll. That is even more unfair. But as soon as math comes into play, game on.
In my view, carefully-architected fiscal policy is better than no fiscal policy at all.
BTW, by moderacy I mean: not extreme, partisan, or radical.
How is pay for perfomance analogous? IN the first case, a private company pays more for someone who will do a better job and make the company more money. IN the second case the gov't takes an enterprise that could not survive on its own and lards it with taxpayer money to make it competitive, driving up costs for all competitors.
I dont see the comparison.