As the resident cheerleader for the ROTH IRA (note, I didn't say expert) I don't think the author is in any way speaking for the various folks who wish to bolster tax revenues. Those in Congress as well as the President should LOVE the ROTH because it puts more tax dollars in the coffers NOW. People who put current money in ROTHs pay the taxes in the current tax year (NOW!) and those who convert put even more money into the current tax year (NOW!) Why would any elected official not love the ROTH? Any downside will happen later. As we all know, elected officials care only about the year or two before the next election. Any further out, they figure to worry about that if they are still in office at the time.
Nope, the ROTH makes sense to politicians right now. I don't think it's going away any time soon, even though the author of the article has a point that - in the long run - it's (potentially) a bad deal for the tax collector.
I do think LOL's point is often valid. Those considering ROTHs have to do some serious thinking about where they might be in the future, tax wise. ROTHs could be a loser for many people. In the case of us "rich" ERs (see recent poll on net worth, heh, heh, heh) ROTHs can be a part of a long-term strategy to hedge the tax game. Obviously, elected officials can wreck that planning at some point, but the idea is to play the odds to your favor. For instance (I know this sounds like a broken record) does anyone here expect future tax rates to go down?
I'm still "titrating" my taxes with ROTH conversions and (at this time) plan to do so until I turn 70 (beginning of RMDs and also, when I will take SS). The good news/bad news is that I haven't made too big a dent in my 401(k) as the darn thing just keeps growing. (I know, I know. "Poor baby!")
The usual caveats apply. YMMV.