Honorable Senator Chambliss,
First of all, I want to thank you and let you know that I do appreciate your prompt response to my question regarding the lack of termination of employment of the parties responsible for the IRS fiasco.
I am going to be very candid with you. Although I do appreciate your efforts to pass additional laws and legislation to protect tax payers from these type of irresponsible actions committed by Federal employees in the future. I dont think that is enough and, in my opinion, it falls VERY short of the expectation I have from my representatives in DC. That looks to me like an attempt to appease both sides of the isle up on the mighty hill, along with the portion of your constituency that is still somewhat complacent or numb to what is happening in Washington DC.
New legislation and new laws are both rubbish and ineffective, and could be economically taxing as well. What we need is a good'ol fashion corporate house cleaning, firing, terminations, consequences, and even JAIL TIME if necessary. We both know that we need to create an example for the rest of our Federal employee force. History will continue to repeat unless these individuals are faced with more serious consequence than a mere slap on the hand or a phony public drilling during a staged Senate hearing.
I am simply disgusted that NO ONE has been fired, sanctioned, criminally charged or even tarred and feathered. And to add insult to injury. These individuals are all still drawing salaries, benefits, and even hefty pensions. What are you all thinking? What are you all waiting for?
Honorable Senator Chambliss... to me, and to many of my friends and business associates, this lack of action feels, looks and sounds like no one in DC cares to do much, other than protect their political future. It looks like no one wants to take action for fear of public opinion or "political" retribution. And, that is just not right. Please allow me to kindly and respectfully remind you that we (Tax paying citizens) entrusted you, your elected colleagues and all Federal employees and personnel with the future of our Nation and its assets. Heed the message and act accordingly. Take appropriate action NOW! Initiate the necessary employee termination process and FIRE the responsible, or should I say "irresponsible" parties. And THAT Mr. Chambliss, will be a future DETERRENT and a real case law for others...
Juan Blanco
Peachtree Corners Georgia resident and concerned citizen
Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Email from Senator Chambliss office:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
From: saxby_chambliss@chambliss.senate.gov
Subject: Responding to your message
Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:41:29 -0400
Dear Mr. Blanco:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Your taking time to contact me is appreciated.
While the American people were made aware of the misdeeds of the IRS recently, the Administration has known much longer about targeting of conservative groups by the IRS. The American people deserve trust, and this egregious abuse of power exhibits the worst fears of the American people that they cannot trust their government. It has been two years since these incidents were first reported and while Members of Congress were led to believe that no malfeasance occurred, the details of the IG report were more shocking than we could have realized as many conservative groups were not only targeted for additional reviews, but were harassed as well.
In addition to speaking about this issue on the Senate floor, I have also become a cosponsor of several pieces of legislation in response to these startling revelations.
I joined 13 of my Senate colleagues on May 14, as a cosponsor of S. 941, the "Taxpayer Nondiscrimination& Protection Act of 2013." This legislation has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary for further review, and, if enacted, would add criminal penalties for IRS employees who target political organizations.
Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Additionally, on May 14, S. 937, the "Protect Against Ideology-Based Targeting Act," of which I am a cosponsor, was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Finance. If enacted, this legislation would prohibit the IRS from targeting organizations based on ideology.
Although it was blocked by some Members of the Senate, I am also a supporter of Senator Rand Paul's "Sense of the Senate" resolution that condemns the actions of the IRS and calls for a complete investigation.
These are important issues to me, and as the American public continues to lose trust in their government, I believe that Congress must take the appropriate steps towards implementing solutions, and above all, must make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Should these items or similar legislation come before the full Senate for consideration, I will certainly keep your thoughts and views in mind.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.