We saw this with the government shutdown in October 2013 - the various branches of government reacted by shutting down very public services and areas instead of cutting down on the bureaucracy where it was really needed.
Here, here and here for starters.
Now that the IRS has had its budget trimmed, they are cutting needed public services instead of eliminating waste and overhead.
From Yahoo/Associated Press:
Need help filing out your tax return? Don't call the IRS
Filing a federal tax return is about to get more complicated for millions of families because of President Barack Obama's health law. But they shouldn't expect much help from the Internal Revenue Service.
Got a question for the IRS? Good luck reaching someone by phone. The tax agency says only half of the 100 million people expected to call this year will be able to reach a person.
Callers who do get through may have to wait on hold for 30 minutes or more to talk to someone who will answer only the simplest questions.
"Taxpayers who need help are not getting it, and tax compliance is likely to suffer over the longer term if these problems are not quickly and decisively addressed," said a report Wednesday by agency watchdog Nina E. Olson.
Five bucks says Nina is getting audited this year. A bit more:
Congress cut the IRS by $346 million for the budget year that ends Sept. 30. Koskinen says the agency's $10.9 billion budget is its lowest since 2008. When adjusted for inflation, the budget hasn't been this low since 1998, he said.
That is a whopping 4% cut. We are talking pocket change. If Koskinen is unable to tighten the IRS' belt to compensate for such a pinprick, he does not deserve to be Commissioner. We need to cut their budget by 60% and flatten the entire tax system. Get rid of special interests, crony capitalists and lobbyists.
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