IRS woes go deeper than surface

5/31/2013

President Obama’s reaction to the investigation of the Internal Revenue Service’s handling of conservative groups’ nonprofit status was predictably swift, as he condemned the agency’s actions and accepted resignations among its leadership (“Shaking up the IRS,” guest editorial, May 22). But this reaction is like chopping off the top of a dandelion without pulling out the root.

Employees throughout the IRS are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents more than 100,000 government employees in multiple agencies, according to the NTEU Web site.

In the 2012 elections, more than 90 percent of the NTEU’s contributions went to Democratic candidates in Senate and House races, according to that Web site. IRS employee contributions helped fund elections of Democratic candidates through their union.

The IRS will be helping to implement and enforce Obamacare, meaning that employees (most likely future NTEU members) will be hired. That will lead to additional political contributions to candidates who favor their agendas.

Is this the change that this country really wants, or is it Chicago-style politics?

JEFF KERST

Sandusky

 

Obama is from Chicago, right?

The IRS scandal is the Democratic Party at work, Chicago style.

EDWIN DURIVAGE

River Road

 

Auditor off base on percentage

Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez, who is running for mayor of Toledo, seems to think she has eliminated 130 percent of her work force (“Auditor OKs employee raises,” May 16).

Your article quotes her as saying her office has 112 positions, down from 173 when she took office. The reduction of 61 positions represents 35 percent, not 130 percent.

If that’s her understanding of percentages, I would not want her to have anything to do with numbers that have dollar signs in front of them.

SHIRLEY SKOKANE

Tiffin, Ohio

 

Toledoans canrelate to heaviness

Your May 13 article “Mayor’s race features 3 top contenders” said that Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara does not connect well with city voters and that he has “a few extra pounds around the middle.”

Toledo is the seventh fattest city in the nation, according to the Gallup-Healthways well-being index. It’s clear that we will relate to a mayor with a few extra pounds.

SCOT YARNELL

Wildwood Road