This may sound political BUT IS NOT -- it applies to all parties (unfortunately). Cynical - YES /// political -- no. Fixing the tax code for politicians (and other government programs i.e. social security, Medicare, etc.) is not in their (politicians) best interest. PLEASE NOTE: It is in the interest of the "people" but that is different from what is best for politicians. The fixes for the IRS are all basically simple and have been discussed in detail here and also in congress --- require earlier reporting, later filing and matching, etc.. All will help alleviate the unwanted (by the "people") problems. It is the same for Medicare and social security amongst other programs -- a Medicare fraud article in AARP magazine ended by saying ---- we needed to not only figure a way to watch for fraud but need to convince people -- not to commit it, in the first place. Herein lies the "other shoe" for politicians --- rather than make people personality responsible and if they commit fraud ---/// timely; take everything they have and any possible part of any gain - including costs to "get them" ---- thus making it UNPROFITABLE and BOTHERSOME TO DO /// LOOSE everything /// more people would decide not to "do damage to others" for their own profit, etc.. Currently (and foreseeable future) no one in congress (or other levels (lower and/or higher) will do what needs done because it will not only lower their own power base and not be profitable for them BUT given many do eventually get caught --- possibly make them accountable and they might "loose everything" when caught. Shame, but I am at a lost of where to choose, etc. - I still recommend voting even though we are usually picking the "best of the worst" BUT EVENTUALLY --- we might get back up there where we are picking better and better --- as time goes on. rant/temporally over.