Re: do taxpayers get a good return

First of all, the benefits received by these men are benefits that they earned by working until retirement. Just because I have dementia doesn't mean that money should go back to the government. These soldiers put up with a lot of BS to get that $500, and I don't believe that VA picks up 100% of the bill! I'm hearing from soldiers coming back that they can't even get in to see a therapist because of serious PTSD. And yet they are turning these guys out and making them run rings trying to get funding for there ills, this is America saying Thanks for Serving!

Re: Field vs. Administrators

It depends on what the question is adressing. I, too, work for the IRS and the vast majority of employees are dedicated and work to do their best. They take their jobs seriously, work additional hours without comopensation, and are often lacking in the necessary equipment or supplies to work as efficiently as possible.
Unfortunately all Federal agencies report to a Congress
that has a political agenda in overseeing their budgets. In 1998 Congress greatly restricted the ability of Ithe IRS to collect taxes and it has often imposed budget cuts that have had a detrimental effect on the mission. Now Congress and the president have belatedly become aware that the IRS doesn't have the resources to function effectively. I'm sure all Federal agencies are impacted by which way the Congressional wind blows.
We as Federal employees should be proud of the work we do and frustrated that budgets, personnel, and agency missions are all subject to the political whims of the day.

Re: Field vs. Administrators

TO REINFORCE WHAT WAS SAID IN THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE AND LATER REBUTTED BY THE IRS HUMAN RESOURCES PERSON; AGAIN, THIS PERSPECTIVE IS COMING FROM AN EMPLOYEE WHO DOES NOT GENERATE INCOME; HER/HIS SALARY IS COMING OUT OF OVERHEAD; WHICH FIELD PERSONNEL BASICALLY FUND.
HOWEVER HARD HE WORKS, OR HOW MUCH SHE WORKS OVERTIME, THEY ARE NOT PRODUCING REVENUE; THEY ARE REDUCING INCOME. A LESS THAN 1% AUDIT RATE IS RIDICULOUS WITH TOO MANY ADMIN. TYPES RUNNING LOOSE JUSTIFYING THEMSELVES WITH PAPERWORK. SECOND, I GUARANTEE, THAT BASED ON YOUR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE, YOU ARE STILL BETTER PAID THAN THE FIELD PERSONNEL THAT ACTUALLY DO THE WORK MANDATED BY CONGRESS. MAYBE THE BUDGET IS ALWAYS SHORT BECAUSE THE FUNDS ARE SPENT ON THE WRONG TYPE OF EMPLOYEE...INCLUDING WHO GETS COMPUTERS. DID YOU KNOW THAT IRS IS NOW ISSUING BLACKBERRIES TO MANAGERS?? WHILE FIELD PERSONNEL ARE WORKING WITH COMPUTERS AND SYSTEMS THAT ARE LONG OUTDATED.

Re: Field vs. Administrators

Field IRS Tax Collector,

You present the scenario that the world rests upon your shoulders and revolves around your corner of Kansas (sorry Kansas, it's only a joke). Never forget that all federal employees take money, not generate it. We are a drain upon the economy, albeit necessary. You do not manufacture anything or generate wealth, therefore, you are also to be considered overhead. Thank heavens for the producers, farmers, etc in this country.

Re: Field vs. Administrators

IRS Revenue Agent, I was in the field for fifteen years and collected revenue. Your perspective that we are either black or white in terms of production is amazing.
First, you and I both know that journey level agents are GS-12 and above. Second, you are likely living in an area with a cheaper standard of lving. Third, buy your own health insurance, life insurance, annuity, etc. from the private sector and don't expect raises, WGI's, and performance awards because we bloated administrative types won't be around to process them if your view prevails. It is great when Federal employees disparage one another and make it much easier for Congress and/or the president to justify decreased COLAS, higher share of health insurance premiums, etc. As a true working class hero, I suspect you have to wipe the sweat of your brow each time you are encumbered with paperwork that prevents you from doing the "real" work. The laptop I use is six years old; it's quite a perk.

Re: Field vs. Administrators

One other comment. Congress and the American people fund the IRS, not field or national office personnel. You and every other Federal employee, as well as other members of the public, fund the government through our withholding. Given that the majority of us properly file our returns and pay withholding under a voluntary tax system, you are limited in the funds you assess or collect.

Re: waste of tax dollars on Corporate welfare etc

The problem, from my perspective, is that America is becoming a welfare state with Uncle Sugar handing out the goodies through Congress. We no longer have a government that provides freedom and political stabilitly; we use government to try and dictate "fairness" and "equity"; we penalize those who are successful by demonizing them and blame those who work hard and achieve some prominence or financial success for the failures of others.

In short, we have abrogated the idea of personal responsibility and work hard to put the blame on others through legislation, lawsuits, grievances, etc. The result is trillions going to the federal government in taxes but there is never enough to make everyone happy, and there never will be, despite being the richest country the world has ever known.