A must read... a great case for abolishment of the IRS
This is not some lunatic fringe wacko attacking the government, but someone who truly wanted to work to improve the IRS. The reports of serious lack of morals or ethics by hign ranking government employees was scary. The highest praise I can give this book is that it reads like a true history... documented and detailed... trying to be objective even when the IRS turned on her. In the end, you realize that the only 'reform' possible is to abolish the whole system.
A must read for anyone with an interest in the IRS
Shelly Davis has written a book that reveals some of the internal workings of the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS as revealed by Davis is a corrupt, paranoid organization that goes to more trouble to cover up its own failings and illegal activities than it expends doing its legitimate job. Davis shows that the law is no barrier to IRS proceedings. In particular she describes the IRS repeated and apparently systematic efforts to conceal its operations by destroying internal records in violation of the Federal Records Act. Davis writes in a straightforward narrative style suitable for an account of bureaucratic bumbling by one of the nations most important governmental agencies. If you have had an interest in the Internal Revenue Service, tax problms or an interest in how bureaucracies work this book is essential reading.
Must read to find out why Govt. does not work!
For anyone who wants to see a Govt. Bureacracy in meltdown, and that is still on going read this! With the recent retirement of Mr. Gross and the new IRS Commissioner Rossotti's idea to redo everyting, coupled with the attempts by Congress to "simplify" it on the one hand --by making it more difficult, to the other extreme of abolishing it altogether, you will soon see we are headed to another 1985. Considering this kind of book was never done before on the IRS, it stands by itself. All of our legislators should be required to read it and take a test on it!
Book should be retitled Unfulfilled Promises
Let me start by saying that I do not condone the present state of the IRS and that, like a recent presidential candidate, I would like to see the IRS abolished as we know it. However, I feel that Unbridled Power did not even come close to delivering on what is promised in the synopsis and cover flaps. Shelley Davis states that unethical, and even unlawful, behavior is rampant within the IRS. Yet, within 260 pages of text, she provides us with only a few such examples, and the frequency with which she refers to these few examples undermines her claim that such behavior is commonplace.
The author's descriptions of her own actions toward the end of her employment at the IRS further erode her credibility regarding the severity of the problem. Davis claims that often times the IRS has a blatant disregard for federal laws and that certain actions by IRS employees could be construed as a violation of these laws. However, when she was asked point blank by an IRS investigator if charges should be brought, Davis reponds that what she really wants is "change". Also, just prior to her departure, Davis is asked to submit a report detailing her experiences at the IRS, a report which she readily admits would be the perfect opportunity to memorialize the atrocious actions she has witnessed and the people responsible for these actions. Once again, Davis demurs and decides to "not burn any bridges."
If the actions of the IRS are so egregious, why isn't an outside agency such as the FBI involved? Davis complains that the IRS is incapable of policing itself, yet all her efforts to "whistle blow" (a favorite phrase of hers) were conducted along the very same reporting channels Davis derides as being inadequate and ineffective.
Much of what Davis talks about in her book can better be described as "entrenched bureaucracy". In the end, her efforts to change the status quo did not succeed because she was a victim of this bureaucracy and, more importantly, because she herself became a part of this same bureaucracy.
Rather than a scorching expose, this book is, at best, food for thought
Wake up America -- this is the tip of the iceburg
An excellent book by a very brave author. It kept me awake all night -- in fact, I may never sleep again.
After searching far and wide -- but failing to find many other books on the inner secret workings of the IRS -- this one hit the spot. Does anyone really know how to audit these 'servants' of ours? Mrs Davis has given us so many more questions to ask.
Forget volunteering -- this should be required reading for all taxpayers
