Letter to the Editor

Conservative math problems

Lately the Republicans have been irate about some missing emails from Lois Lerner's computer at the IRS. The only thing they have uncovered for Fox News is that IRS' backup system is about par with most systems in government due to lack of funds.

The conservatives have cut 14 percent from the IRS budget since 2010, which has sharply reduced tax law enforcement and poorer service. Audits of incomes over $10 million have dropped from 30 percent to 24 percent since 2010, and on incomes from $1 million to $5 million from 21 percent to 16 percent. Collections from enforcement has dropped over $4 billion since 2010. Every $1 in enforcement expense returns $6 in increased revenue.

Under a 2010 law, the IRS is supposed to collect and process more info from offshore accounts; to do so would require more people. So what do the deficit-conscious Republicans propose? Cutting another $341 million out of the IRS budget in 2015 and outlaw the IRS from collecting the insurance penalty mandate.

Remember $1 in expense brings in another $6 in revenue. In everyday math that looks good, but I am not sure about conservative math. Come to think of it, that is like global warming and conservative science.

Leon Logan

Tucumcari