9 million-word U.S. tax code absurd

It is impossible to exaggerate the absurdity of our current tax code. Perhaps the best illustration is the fact that overworked and harassed IRS workers charged with explaining the rules of taxpayers often cannot understand them themselves. Or consider the fact that the new treasury secretary, whose responsibilities include supervising the IRS, failed to pay his taxes properly. If the IRS cannot understand its own tax code, how can we?

It is far too long and confusing. Compare the length of the tax code to our founding documents as Steve Forbes observes in his 2005 book “Flat Tax Revolution.” Our Declaration of Independence made the case for the birth of a new nation, founded on self government and dedicated to the ideals of equality and freedom. It took about 1,300 words. Our Constitution designed the structure of our federal government and specified the fundamental rights of American citizens. It runs around 5,000 words.

Our tax code and its accompanying rules, regulations and interpretations check in at 9 million words and counting. Congress, are you listening?

Roger W. Smith

Waterloo