[ClearCase_guy]

Taxes in general are an industry created by the government and for the government. People involved in tax law perform a crucial and necessary function -- in feeding Big Government. In today's world, no one can survive without tax accountants and tax attorneys.

But does it create wealth in the same way that a dairy farm or a steel mill creates wealth?
No.

[Emile]

Granted, I don’t create wealth in the sense you describe. But in this regulatory environment, the producers of the product our company manufactures could not create wealth without my staff and me. I’m what is known as overhead — an undesired but necessary part of any business. Above and beyond tax compliance, we concentrate on providing a service to the individuals in our company, to enable them to better do their jobs, so we justify the profits we siphon off the bottom line. And — our job is to minimize the extent to which we are required to feed big government. We do the best we can, but if you suggest I risk incarceration by refusing to do the required level of feeding — I’ll pass, thank you.