Know who firing those IRS agents is great for? The massive number of Texas tax cheats | Opinion
Revenue matters
I retired in December 2024 after 14 years as an auditor with the IRS. Politicians love to vilify the IRS. Never once did I assess tax to anyone who didn’t deserve it. Many times, I accepted partial evidence to help the taxpayer.
Massive numbers of paid preparers and taxpayers are dishonest. They are interested only in scamming the system. Good, honest people pay more than their fair share because of the enormous gap in revenue created by tax fraud.
You can’t collect tax revenue when thousands of employees are being laid off. There are members of Congress who know this. Do they have the conviction to stand up, speak out and do what is right for America?
- David Jones, Arlington
Define ‘freedom’
In his Feb. 16 column, “It’s not just ‘Fire Nico.’ From the Mavs to the Gulf of Mexico, we’re losing freedom,” Bud Kennedy laments our supposed loss of freedoms under President Donald Trump. He conveniently forgets about the actual freedoms millions of Americans only recently lost through the left’s “fact checking” on social media, shadow banning and outright canceling of dissenting voices from public discourse.
Was Kennedy a champion on this topic while it was provably occurring daily for years? He also feigns concern for the “freedom to spread the gospel of Christ” after millions were denied the basic right to assemble in our houses of worship during COVID-19. Preposterous.
- George Sullivan, North Richland Hills
Keep it up
Well said, Bud Kennedy. It is critical that our journalists stand up and keep the public informed. Without oversight, the conservative right will gradually take away our freedoms.
The question is, when will they overreach to the point that the public wakes up?
- Charlie Stewart, North Richland Hills
Stop the clock
Yes, please switch to daylight saving time all year. (Feb. 16, 4C, “Here we go again with daylight-saving switch. Time for Texas to leave the clocks alone”) I’m so tired of changing clocks and readjusting the body to time changes. It’s very difficult for children and teens. Arizona and Hawaii definitely have this right by not switching back and forth.
- Sharon Adams, Rhome
Know it all
Several articles have focused on the attempts to cut government spending and the possible negative implications, but we need some balance. Just how far in debt is the country? What are the ramifications if we become insolvent? Who might benefit from Donald Trump’s efforts to eliminate their income taxes?
I don’t think average Americans realize just how much of a deficit we are running, and I am certain they would not support some of the boondoggles we are funding around the world.
It’s important to have all the information on the table, not just left-wing anger and railing against the man America elected.
- John Michael Holt, Fort Worth
Sing out
The Legislature should pass House Bill 2171, which would require the playing of our state song, “Texas, Our Texas,” after the national anthem at public school sporting events.
Many Texans might think public schools already play the song, but this is not the case. Texas is home to a diverse population that has endured hardship and triumph together, from serving in every major war to supporting one another in times of disaster. Our state is home to the eighth-largest economy in the world.
Texas is known for its natural beauty, from the Big Bend to the towering trees of Sam Houston National Forest and the rugged cliffs of Palo Duro Canyon.
As John Steinbeck once said, “Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word.” The eyes of Texas are upon the Legislature.
- Logan Treadaway, Ennis