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The IRS bonus scandal demonstrates that it's time for the GOP to wake up and run against the IRS
American Thinker ^ | 04/23/2014 | Thomas Lifson

Posted on 04/23/2014 7:28:03 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

The partisan bureaucrats at the IRS who were ready and willing to harass conservative groups are just the tip of the iceberg at a corrupt and irresponsible agency that just happens to be the most unpopular and feared arm of the federal government. So self-serving is the agency that it actually paid bonuses – many bonuses – to employees who were delinquent in their own taxes. Gail Sullivan of the Washington Post reports:

report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration shows that between Oct. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2012, the IRS paid $2.8 million in bonuses to employees cited in the past year for such things as drug use, making violent threats, fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits, misusing government credit cards and — get this — failing to pay their taxes.

The report said more than 1,100 employees who failed to pay their taxes received discretionary awards of more than $1 million in cash bonuses and more than 10,000 hours in extra paid vacation.

At least five employees received performance awards after being disciplined for intentionally under-reporting their tax liabilities for multiples years, paying taxes late and under-reporting income.

This is beyond outrageous; it is the stuff of fatal institutional rot. Such practices encourage misbehavior, and make fools out of people who actually do work hard and keep their noses clean. How bad do you have to be before suffering any problems?

You have to do something really bad before the IRS will take conduct into account, bad enough to be suspended for 14 days or more. Even then, conduct is only deemed relevant to awards of permanent pay increases, not for bonuses or extra vacation time.


(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bonus; gop; irs; scandal

1 posted on 04/23/2014 7:28:03 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
IF THEY HAD THE BALLS...

The GOP has a golden opportunity to launch a campaign to abolish the IRS and substitute a simpler tax system based on a VAT or sales tax, taxing consumption.

2 posted on 04/23/2014 7:28:46 AM PDT by SeekAndFind (If at first you don't succeed, put it out for beta test.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Note to Speaker John Boehner: This is part of the Documentation File for the upcoming Impeachment of B. Hussein Obama to be used by the House Special Prosecutor on the IRS Scandal and Coverup, although a House Special Prosecutor has not yet been appointed by you as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, for reasons known only to yourself and Obama.

_____________________________________

* Personal comment footnote:

With each passing day that the US House Members do not replace Speaker Boehner, Speaker (?) Johnny Boehner continues to be THE Poster Boy for what is rotten in the formerly GREAT Republican Party, and the current US House of Representatives.


3 posted on 04/23/2014 7:32:04 AM PDT by Graewoulf (Democrats' Obamacare Socialist Health Insur. Tax violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: SeekAndFind

The EXEMPT GOP (original installers of BOTH gay marriage,
now polygamy, and RomneyCARE, now ObamaCARE)
DO NOT CARE, America.

The EXEMPT GOP is quite happy to arm al Qaeda, leave
the borders open, and read love-INT provided by the NSA.

The GOP’s initials stand for “GAVE OBAMA POWER”
and they will continue to attack any conservative,
led by Romney and Rove.


4 posted on 04/23/2014 7:32:31 AM PDT by Diogenesis
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To: SeekAndFind

As Rahm Emanuel said: Never let a crisis go to waste....


5 posted on 04/23/2014 7:32:49 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: SeekAndFind

Yeah well. I’m thinking I have a better chance of winning the Lotto. And after Issa royally [insert favorite invective] up the IRS investigation (as he does with everything) my hopes are dashed.

Way past time to elect smart conservatives. Tired of the stupid ones or, worse, stupid RINOs.


6 posted on 04/23/2014 7:35:45 AM PDT by RIghtwardHo
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To: SeekAndFind

It’s not bonuses, it’s theft of US tax dollars.


7 posted on 04/23/2014 7:36:02 AM PDT by GrandJediMasterYoda (Bundy ranch "Domestic terrorists" - Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan "work place violence".)
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To: RIghtwardHo

There are now more than 70 federal agencies that have armed agents.
Something is definitely wrong here.


8 posted on 04/23/2014 7:36:53 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Rip it out by the roots.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I do agree. Running against the IRS would probably be a winner.

However, another tax plan has got to be offered. I was in favor of the Fair Tax, but a Flat Tax plan would also be an improvement over what we have now...which is an intrusive, hostile system way too open to political manipulation.


9 posted on 04/23/2014 7:36:59 AM PDT by livius
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To: SeekAndFind
"The report said more than 1,100 employees who failed to pay their taxes"

Call the BLM and surround the scoundrels.

10 posted on 04/23/2014 7:37:49 AM PDT by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: Diogenesis

You said it all.


11 posted on 04/23/2014 7:40:09 AM PDT by onona (IÂ’ve pretty much given up on sanity returning.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Time for what? GOP to wake up? Those arses are in this crap as far as the communists Democrats. Expect anything from the good old boys at the Federal watering hole. HA! Can't wake up the dead.
12 posted on 04/23/2014 7:41:18 AM PDT by Logical me
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To: SeekAndFind

Sigh. I’m weary of reading about what the GOP should do. Will they do this? Who thinks they will? Does the author? Do you see the problem with spending time trying to get the government (the Republicans in congress are part of the government) to do things we know they won’t do?

We really need to get past that, and get past it fast.


13 posted on 04/23/2014 7:45:36 AM PDT by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Hey, MISS ROMNEY YET!!!! The Republicans led by the incompetent GOP forgot to fight for Romney and look what we got. America is in the toilet and it will take generations to even start recovery. So sit back and enjoy some of your non votes. The IRS will soon run the Country with unbelievable power. Just part of King Obama's army. I'm pissed I'm old and fought in Korea for what?
14 posted on 04/23/2014 7:49:01 AM PDT by Logical me
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To: RIghtwardHo

Another thing the GOP will not do, give up power. You’ll see.

Election are like a football game, but the voters are playing by soccer rules.


15 posted on 04/23/2014 7:52:37 AM PDT by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda

yep, why do they get bonuses? They have a cushy job, good job security and a pension. Are bonuses directly linked to performance? How about improving efficiency? ...although we all know that those aren’t goals in government because they have guaranteed income (taxes) and are never held accountable.

This is just theft of tax payers.


16 posted on 04/23/2014 7:54:16 AM PDT by fuzzylogic (welfare state = sharing consequences of poor moral choices among everybody)
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To: SeekAndFind
Do I see a hidden logo in the IRS eagle's wing?


17 posted on 04/23/2014 8:13:32 AM PDT by relictele (Principiis obsta & Finem respice - Resist The Beginnings & Consider The End)
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To: SeekAndFind

These articles about how the GOP should do this or that just tickle me. The premise is completely wrong and ill considered. The GOP doesn’t want things different. They’re quite happy w/ status quo. Status quo is generally to their advantage b/c thats why things are the way they are in DC. Laws and regs are contrived to make those in power more powerful and wealthier at the expense of all else. In fact the GOP is little different than the dem party - theres no substantial difference anymore. Both parties are grossly corrupt and exist purely for the benefit of a small number at the top. Even so its hard to understand since they can (and should) be put out by the voters. We’re the problem, not them.


18 posted on 04/23/2014 9:23:52 AM PDT by 556x45
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To: SeekAndFind

So let me get this straight:

The IRS is pursuing descendants of tax cheats to the point of withholding their social security, but they pay bonuses to their own tax cheats.

Did I get that right GOP? You listening? How many served up balls do you need to take it to the IRS?


19 posted on 04/23/2014 10:40:39 AM PDT by A'elian' nation ("Political Correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred." Jacques Barzun)
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