Privatization: The New York Times Finally Gets It

From The NYT:

Private tax collection costs more than it would cost to give the I.R.S. the resources to pursue the debts. Federal budgeting oddities only make it seem less costly. Private collection also raises serious concerns about fraud and privacy. Mark Everson, the I.R.S. commissioner, should fight hard for the resources the agency needs to do the job it clearly does best. Instead, he supports private collection, allowing the administration and Congress to indulge the fiction that they are saving money.

The rationale for laying off estate tax auditors is also unconvincing. To allay suspicions the cutbacks are a way to shield wealthy heirs from taxes, two Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, John Lewis of Georgia and Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, sent a letter recently to Mr. Everson, asking for facts and figures to justify the job cuts.

Mr. Everson responded with a “trust me” letter.

It's really simple:

Johnny has 100 apples.
His Apple Tax bill is 16 apples.

(By the way, Johnny's Apple Tax doesn't just fund The ARS-- his taxed apple income helps pay for the roads, regional power grids, the schools, and other services that Johnny's family uses, including the salaries and overhead of the ARS workers-- The Apple Revenue Service.)

If the ARS decides to hire private Apple Tax collectors to catch cheaters, some of Johnny's taxed apple revenue will be diverted from critical services to pay for the salaries and overhead of the new private company. (It costs more, remember?)

That means less revenue to spend on roads, power grids, schools, and other services-- including ARS auditors and collectors-- and lost jobs.

Who benefits from this privatization?

Hint: Not Johnny.

It's no wonder that Republicans want to privatize everything. They can reward their political donors and use your tax dollars like an ATM.

Do you really trust them to do the right thing with your tax dollars?

Your livelihood, your personal safety, and your life just might depend on your answer.

So how do you like them apples?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.