When Your W-2 Meets an AR-15

National Review ^ | 6/13/2013 | Mark Steyn

[markomalley]

When the IRS is accused of “targeting”, don’t assume they’re speaking metaphorically. From Politico:

As chairman of the House Homeland Security oversight subcommittee, [Jeff] Duncan (R-S.C.) toured a federal law enforcement facility in late May and noticed agents training with the semi-automatic weapons at a firing range. They identified themselves as IRS, he said.

“When I left there, it’s been bugging me for weeks now, why IRS agents are training with a semi-automatic rifle AR-15, which has stand-off capability,” Duncan told POLITICO. “Are Americans that much of a target that you need that kind of capability..?

“I think Americans raise eyebrows when you tell them that IRS agents are training with a type of weapon that has stand-off capability. It’s not like they’re carrying a sidearm and they knock on someone’s door and say, ‘You’re evading your taxes,’” Duncan said.

A bureaucracy is bad. A politicized bureaucracy is worse. A paramilitary politicized bureaucracy is nuts. And, in fact, evil. There is no reason in a civilized society why the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Paperwork should have his own Seal Team Six. As I wrote in the magazine last year: 

By the way, I use the word “agents” rather than “officials” because, in the developed world, the paramilitarized bureaucracy is uniquely American. This is the only G7 government whose education minister has his own SWAT team — for policing student-loan compliance. The other day, the Gibson guitar company settled with the feds over an arcane infraction of a law on rare-wood importation — after their factories were twice raided by “agents” bearing automatic weapons. Like the man said, don’t bring a knife to a guitar fight. Do musical-instrument manufacturers have a particular reputation for violence?

The Gibson raid looks a little different in light of recent revelations. Oh, well. Could have been worse. Its chief executive – a Republican donor – might have been shot for “resisting arrest”, right?

Abolish the IRS. And no personal Delta Force for its successor.

[Travis McGee]

Are we fully transformed yet?

[GOPJ]

A bureaucracy is bad.

A politicized bureaucracy is worse.

A paramilitary politicized bureaucracy is nuts...

There is no reason in a civilized society why the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Paperwork should have his own Seal Team Six.

Steyn

[TheOldLady]

Thank you for the ping and post.

[Red Steel]

What is “stand-off capability”?

In 'military parlance', it is the ability to attack your target or enemy where their weapons cannot reach you as their attacker. Or in other words, their weapons are out of range.

[LucyT]

Article. ... Check out comments, too.

Thanks, GOPJ.

[thecodont]

Thanks for the ping.

[Kenny Bunk]

I have been out of the country since 2008.

You say a gay African Dual Citizen from Hawaii is now the POTUS?

IRS Agents are carrying automatic weapons?

American Ambassadors are left to die in the streets of Libya?

I can have a free cell phone? Free Health Care? I don't have to work any more? I don't have to pay my mortgage or pay off my college loans?

Wow! Cool!

[Jack Hammer]

You seem to be an individual of exceptional intelligence and insight, and you’ve clearly grasped the essence of the political situation in the United States.

Be careful you’re not sent to the gulag; idiots and criminals are running the country now.

[appalachian_dweller]

>> Now is the time to ID your local oppressor-wannabees <<

How can one aquire this information? Any advice would be most helpful. I live in the Winchester, VA area.

ps - I’m sure the NSA already knows who I am and where I live. I’d really like to have their info as well.

Thanks in advance.

[imardmd1]

So, ALL of those 5 MILLION bullets that the government is buying . . .

NO O O! Thw government is buying BILLIONS. A billion is a thousand million!

Five million for them is just chump change . . .

[Ann Archy]

The government is buying BILLIONS of BULLETS??? BILLIONS???? OMG....it’s way worse than I thought!!

[GOPJ]

The other day, the Gibson guitar company settled with the feds over an arcane infraction of a law on rare-wood importation — after their factories were twice raided by “agents” bearing automatic weapons. Like the man said, don’t bring a knife to a guitar fight. Do musical-instrument manufacturers have a particular reputation for violence?

Dems are playing for real and pubbies are being played for fools...