You have got to read this one

[kcjenkins]

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1253...OTMxMTk0Wj.html

This article needs to be read in the context of what Congress is really doing. While Congressional leadership talks about "relief" for these "strict liability" penalties, the fact is they included several new ones in the revenue provisions of the health care reform proposals (including in the economic substantce proposals).

[jainen]

>>the context of what Congress is really doing<<

According to the article itself, the problem dates back to the way the previous administration treated small business. Yes, it is going to take some time to undo all that mess. Until then I don't trust the IRS to be fair in assessing penalties. For your example of health reform, strict liability is one of the few ways to protect it from the huge financial power of the medical and insurance lobbies.

[JohnH]

Yes, yes, we know.

All the problems of this country began during the previous administation.

Can't find a single problem of any sort that had its roots in the period prior to 2000.

[kcjenkins]

>>the context of what Congress is really doing<<

According to the article itself, the problem dates back to the way the previous administration treated small business. Yes, it is going to take some time to undo all that mess. Until then I don't trust the IRS to be fair in assessing penalties. For your example of health reform, strict liability is one of the few ways to protect it from the huge financial power of the medical and insurance lobbies.

Jainen, the problem is not with 'who' did it, the problem is that it is not only not getting fixed, the current administration is trying to expand the same sledgehammer methods to even more problems, while they continue to TALK about fixing the clearly extreme consequences of the older penalties.

[Jack from Ohio]

Yes, yes, we know.

All the problems of this country began during the previous administation.

Can't find a single problem of any sort that had its roots in the period prior to 2000.

For the next several years, all our country's woes will be blamed on the actions of the President from the years 2000-2008. No problems before that period, or after. It was the total focus of the 2008 campaign.

Just my observed and not so humble opinion.