THE POINT OF NO RETURN

Newt Gingrich was taking questions at a town meeting in his suburban-Atlanta district last January, when a fortyish woman rose and identified herself as a tax lawyer. Before anyone could hiss, she allowed, "I'll go out and learn how to make cabinets for a living if you will eliminate the current tax law. It's disgraceful the way my clients use it to avoid taxation, and I hate it. And I hate the irs. The whole system is corrupt." The crowd of more than 600 erupted in applause and shouts of approval. So Gingrich asked some questions of his own. "How many...