Comments

With Tom's large readership, wouldn't it make sense if you threw out something a bit more thoughtful than a one-liner every now and then?

Posted by A friend at April 16, 2005 8:44 PM

Yes, why haven´t we seen TP here lately ? We are missing him ! Best wishes

Posted by SFJ at April 17, 2005 7:50 AM

The Homer Simpson of web site Blogesqueness - even Trevor is perplexed - keep searching for meaning Trev.

Posted by Sean at April 17, 2005 8:10 AM

I worked at IRS and was really looking forward to this book. Well, "Many Unhappy Returns" is the most disappointing book I've read this year. Apart from the irritation of the repetitive overuse of the jargon phrases - like a sort of verbal battering-ram - the content does not add much to the story of IRS turnaround that we could get from google.

Posted by Alex at April 17, 2005 11:33 AM

Interesting article in the Economist this week about countries adopting a flat rate of tax. Apparently the costs of operating a complex tax system can be greater than the extra revenue actually brought in.......

It seems that the only countries willing to look at this are young, brash, risk taking Eastern Europe types. When was the last time the US, UK etc did anything radical. Is Government capable of reinventing itself and being WOW?

The first poster seemed (sorry if I miss read this) to say that this thread was not that important or interesting. Personally I think that the lack of WOW in Government is a VITAL topic of conversation and requires a revolution (in thinking that is not the peasant revolt type!)

Yes I miss Tom's posts - but I also value and enjoy other people contributions and ideas here that's what makes this board special

Posted by PaulH at April 17, 2005 12:59 PM

Eastern Europe tax and lifestyle is a big challenge - try driving a POLSKI the size of a COUCH in that parking lot traffic making minimum wage. Fat cat USA demos have a lock on HIGH TAX for USA masses.

Tom's ENERGY level is diminished ... and a web log takes time and energy - he's close to 65 - he deserves a long, long rest - his REVOLUTION days are a faint memory only.

Posted by Brad at April 17, 2005 4:28 PM

Tom's lack of posting seems more related to his insanely busy, globe-hopping schedule than to lack of energy... its a cheap shot to say otherwise.

From what I can tell, he has more energy and passion than most 25 years olds. I'd be quite happy to match that kind of enthusiasm now (at 37)... much less at 65!

I also agree that a mix of contributors adds spice, though of course the name of the blog is "Tom Peters" so folks naturally expect plenty of posts from him.

Looking forward to more provocative thoughts.........

Posted by AJ Hoge at April 18, 2005 9:14 AM

AJ - you miss the point in your incoherent message - Tom is spread more thin these days - so his energy for mundane AJ blogs is diminished - so you're an older 37 - keep trying to get fit.

Posted by Brad at April 18, 2005 10:24 AM

Okay, kids, back to the topic at hand . . . it's the old saw about how us peons know that the IRS Emperor has no clothes, yet we're forced to stare at him every April 15. Many politicians have been elected to the US Congress partially with pontifications about cleaning up the tax code to make it more fair and easier (e.g., flat tax). Then the libel from the other party starts, and then you have donkeys and elephants insulting each other, and the only thing that gets done is that our taxes continue to increase.

If there's any bureaucracy that needs a dose of creative destruction, it's the IRS. It does seem like those who could do the destruction and rebuild the code right - yes, PaulH, a revolution - are too timid to try the job. Dick Armey can't do it alone. I really hope this gets done in my lifetime, but I ain't holding my breath.

(BTW, for years now, I've marveled at my friends and acquaintances who are so happy about getting a big tax refund, not realizing that this means that they paid the IRS too much last year, and with a few jiggles of the W-4 they could have a bigger paycheck without even needing a raise . . . )

Posted by Ron at April 18, 2005 3:02 PM

I do tax returns for a living. Everytime the IRS tries to simplify the system we receive a rash of new clients who have thrown up their hands trying to do their own return. I can't understand why they can't have diferent due dates based on the alphabet. The April 15 deadline is a killer. I have tried to imagine a flat tax, the question is what is income? If everyone got a paycheck it would be possible.

Posted by Bonnie at April 18, 2005 10:33 PM