auditcongress.com

The request that high government officials undergo an annual IRS audit seems to be a reasonable request, and most people I’ve discussed it with think it’s a good idea. We need some minimum oversight on those with access to almost unlimited money and power. Recent history shows that there’s dirt under the Congressional rug, and we just need to pull up the corner and look to find it.

Several times I’ve heard the objection that an annual IRS audit, with the subsequent public availability of a summary of the results, is an invasion of our government official’s privacy. This position has it that government officials have the right to the presumption of innocence, that we shouldn’t audit them unless we have probable cause.

This argument should be easily dealt with, as in our society rights are often sacrificed in favor of a Greater Public Good. In this case, the Greater Public Good is restoring some of the basic trust in our Government. That trust has been lost over many years as trusted public officials have been revealed to have been cheating on their tax obligations, in addition to other types of cheating and dishonesty. The Greater Public Good here also involves ensuring that those who hold the greatest power over other people’s lives are responsible enough to pay their fair share of taxes. If they are not responsible enough to pay their taxes, then they certainly are not responsible enough to be a Congressman.

Compared to the burden Congress has imposed on other ordinary citizens who hold positions of far lesser authority and impact, this is truly the minimum requirement we could impose. Consider the range of positions and occupations which Congress has allowed or mandated much more severe invasions of privacy, all in the name of the Greater Public Good. Positions from pilots to military servicemen to police and firemen to ordinary government employees are subject to invasive inquiries ranging from random drug tests to periodic background checks. 

There would be a great deal of irony if Congress insisted upon these measures for others, but claimed privacy rights for themselves. A dishonest, tax cheating Congressman is a far greater danger to the Republic than others in public service who must trade their privacy for the Greater Public Good. A dishonest Congressman hurts all Americans and our Republic.  I say it's time to start demanding of them the bare minimum of accountability, an annual tax audit!

Come on Congressmen, Man Up!  Volunteer to be audited every year, and help restore American’s trust in their government.

Dan Murphy