Tag: LA Times

Bigger, Cheaper?

As two of the US largest grocery store chains prepare to merge in the name of big business and promised savings to customers, Benjamin Lorr for the LA Times ponders whether this historic model is actually sustainable. With a quick review of grocery market history, Lorr highlights the logistical issues of a constant growth scenario. He questions company’s practices in the name of savings and feels that bigger does not always mean better for shoppers.
Op-Ed: The grocery chain wars prove that the modern supermarket model isn’t sustainable

Another Look at the IRS

Tax season is fast approaching and tax payers are finding that the IRS customer service is lacking. Michael Hiltzik for the Los Angeles Times suggests that the blame may not be on the organization itself but on the federal government who has repeatedly cut funding for the agency. In the last thirty years the tax payer base has grown from 254 million people, collecting $1.1 trillion in revenue to 330 million people now dealing with over $3.5 trillion. During this time, the staff at the IRS has been cut by almost 30,000 and over the last decade, “the agency’s budget has declined by 20% in inflation-adjusted terms.” According to  statistics published by the IRS National Taxpayer Advocate, last year only 11% of calls to the agency were answered. What does this mean for the IRS and the general taxpayer? Read more here: Don’t blame the IRS for its lousy service. Blame Congress