The only surprising part of this story is that the IRS apologized. Whichever party is in power, its critics can expect more IRS attention than usual. Since the executive branch is currently run by a Democrat, tax-exempt groups with phrases like “tea party” and “patriot” in their names were targeted. But the tables turn when a Republican is president. Charlotte Twight gives a historical example on p. 271 of her book Dependent on D.C.:
Republican President Richard Nixon in 1971 expressed his intention to select as IRS commissioner “a ruthless son of a bitch,” who “will do what he’s told,” will make sure that “every income tax return I want to see I see,” and “will go after our enemies and not go after our friends.”
President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, is also alleged to have abused his position to punish political enemies.
Conservatives are right to be outraged by today’s news. But they shouldn’t be surprised by it. Nor should they direct their ire at President Obama or the IRS staffers who initiated the unnecessary investigations. They should be outraged that politics has become such a high-stakes game in the first place that officeholders view this type of behavior as a legitimate political tactic. The problem is systemic, not partisan…..To Read More…..
My Take - I posted three articles dealing with this because I wanted to make it clear that there is no way to control an agency that has been empowered in the way the IRS has been empowered. If the Founding Fathers viewed what the IRS does "legally" they would be aghast. It is clear the Constitution does not apply to the IRS, so why should we be surprised when they act beyond any legal concepts of restraint. It isn't as if no one has noticed this before, and yet this continues, excuses are made, Congress blathers about rights and how they all work for the taxpayers, and nothing changes. And as long as the tax code exists as it does now it will never stop. As code so complex that neither the Congress, the IRS or the acco0untants who are making untold billions nationwide attempting to work with it for their customers or employers understand it.
So in the question must be the answer. Why do we keep it?
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