By John Q. Hosedrinker As I sit here and read about the staggering $150 billion a year in tax evasion by millionaires and billionaires, as reported by the IRS chief, I can’t help but feel a mix of anger, frustration, and disappointment. This number is not just a statistic; it represents a massive drain on our economy, on our society, and on the very fabric of our democracy. The fact that this level of tax evasion is happening, while hard-working Americans struggle to make ends meet, is a stark reminder of the gross wealth inequality that plagues our country.
It is no secret that the wealthiest individuals and corporations have the means and resources to exploit legal loopholes, offshore accounts, and complex tax schemes to avoid paying their fair share. This is not just about good accountants or tax law; this is about a system that allows the ultra-rich to accumulate obscene amounts of wealth while the rest of us foot the bill.
The recent push to increase IRS funding to target the 1% specifically is a step in the right direction. It is about time that we start holding these wealthy individuals and corporations accountable for their actions. Every dollar put into the IRS brings in $6 back, so it makes financial sense to fund the IRS adequately and go after these tax evaders relentlessly.
The fact that some Republicans in Congress are pushing back against increased enforcement efforts by the IRS is not surprising. It is evident that their priorities lie in protecting the interests of the wealthy elite rather than working towards a more equitable society. The argument that audits will burden small businesses is simply a smokescreen to deflect attention from the real issue at hand.
In a country where the gap between the 1% and the 99% continues to widen, where essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure are underfunded, and where hard-working Americans struggle to get by, it is time to take a stand. We cannot continue to let the ultra-rich get away with dodging their tax responsibilities while the rest of us pay the price.
The increase in IRS funding is not about going after the middle class or small businesses; it is about ensuring that the wealthiest individuals and corporations pay their fair share. It is about bringing a measure of equality, due process, and fairness back into our tax system. It is about holding these tax evaders accountable for their actions and ensuring that they contribute their fair share towards the betterment of our society.
We need to shift the narrative from demonizing the working class and blaming them for the country’s financial woes to holding the ultra-rich accountable for their actions. We need to stand up and demand that the wealthy pay their fair share, that they contribute to the common good, and that they stop leeching off our society for their own selfish gains.
As we move forward, let us remember that the $150 billion a year lost to tax evasion is not just a number; it represents a moral and ethical failure in our society. It is time to fund the IRS adequately, go after these tax evaders, and ensure that justice is served. It is time to hold the wealthy accountable and make them pay their fair share.