Letters from IRS show lack of efficiency from federal government

Editor:

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On Sept. 29, my wife and I received separate letters from the Internal Revenue Service in regard to our joint tax return. Each of these mailings noted "First-class Mail Postage and Fees Paid IRS." These notices were sent to inform us that the Department of Treasury was not able to honor our request that our refund be direct deposited into our checking account.

This was due to "some additional processing" that was required.

The refund due to us would be mailed in the form of a check instead, the notice said, and we should receive our refund in "about three weeks." This sounds fine except that the check arrived on Monday (Sept. 28). The check was dated three days before the date on the letter! And, as if that's not enough, page two of the refund letter was a payment voucher!

Does the scenario mentioned above sound very efficient? Do we really believe that our government can do anything without excessive waste? This is a government that spends millions of dollars to study how the day becomes night (that's a joke - I think!). Our president says that he will pay for health care reform by eliminating waste. I'm tempted to say - "you lie!"

I am often reminded of Ronald Reagan stating the nine most terrifying words in the English language: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." Do we really want more government "efficiencies" in our lives? I say no we don't!

Ken Richards

Evans