Sympathy for the IRS

May 22 (Bloomberg) -- Much to my surprise, I find myselfsympathizing with the Internal Revenue Service. Tendernesstoward that agency isn’t my default position. I’m a Britishexpat living in the U.S., with retirement savings locked up inthe U.K. and other cross-border entanglements -- these smallcomplications have sometimes caused my dealings with taxprofessionals to displace landscape photography as my main andmost expensive pastime. Say “IRS” to me and watch my teethgrind.

On the other hand, I used to be a civil servant, so I alsounderstand how stupid laws can create administrative chaos. Themore I read about the scandal of the IRS and its scrutiny ofconservative groups seeking tax-exempt status, the moreconvinced I am that the blame for this mess -- just like theblame for my having to put down my tripod -- lies almostentirely with Congress.