Alexander statement on vote on House Budget Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (March 13) U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.Con.Res. 312, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2009.

“This budget resolution contains the highest tax hike in history totaling $683 billion over five years and would allow the unfunded liability in Medicare and Social Security to grow by $14 trillion,” Alexander said. “During this time of economic downturn, America needs a budget plan that will put us on the path to recovery, not one that pilfers taxpayers and ignores the problems facing these two critical programs. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take a more sound approach to its budget resolution, so that Congress can work to reconcile a budget that steers America in the right direction.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Pilfer is a derivative of the French word meaning booty and in modern usage means to steal.

You had better volunteer

"The IRS' primary task is to collect taxes under a voluntary compliance system." (emphasis added)
- Jerome Kurtz

Internal Revenue Annual Report, 1980

"Our tax system is based on individual self­-assessment and voluntary compliance." (emphasis added)
- Mortimer Caplin

Internal Revenue Audit Manual, 1975

"Each year American taxpayers voluntarily file their tax returns and make a special effort to pay the taxes they owe." (emphasis added)
-Johnnie M. Walters

Internal Revenue 1040 Booklet, 1971

"Because the American tax system is based on voluntary compliance and self-assessment, each year taxpayers make their own determination of their tax liability' and file returns reporting the correct tax. (emphasis added)
- WELCOME to the United States of America

Form 1-357, Re. 7-19-80, the United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service

Our "voluntary" tax system

Charles Rangel, in explaining his "Mother of All Tax Reforms" bill, which would raise taxes by $3.5 trillion over the next ten years, says his bill would:

"restore a sense of equity and fairness that is critical to the success of our voluntary tax system."

Voluntary tax system? Are we living in the same country? Federal withholding is not voluntary. The tax code has nothing voluntary about it. If you don't pay they put garnishes on your wages, then liens on your property and then you go to prison.

Voluntary? In the IRS realm, unlike the rest of the US justice system, the accused are presumed guilty until they can prove themselves innocent. And the IRS will use their full power under the law, with guns blazing, even over a minor dispute.

Today I got a letter from the IRS claiming that I owe them $766, a small sum and I think that they are wrong. But here is the "we will destroy you" content of the letter I received:

"This is our notice of our intent to levy (take) any state tax refunds that you might be entitled to. In addition, we will begin to search for other assets that we might levy."

Mr. Rangel, what exactly do you mean by "voluntary?" The IRS can put a lien on my home for a $766 dispute?