Look at it this way. What if Trout actually detests the idea of taking some fly-fishing noob as myself fishing? What if all he really wanted was the business my companies could offer him? What if the only way he is able to get face-to-face time to make a pitch to get that business is through a fishing trip? Do you then feel that he should be able to write-off the expense of that business trip?
Play along with the 'what if's' .. I'm curious your answer.
I am all for simplifying the tax code.
On this one little issue, I would advocate doing away with tax deductions for vacations.
People would not be rewarded for cheating, at the expense of their neighbors.
People would still go fishing.
People would still buy insurance.
We just would not have cheaters paying lower tax rates than honest people.