It seems Congress is always able to surpass its previous level of either chicanery or stupidity. Either our representatives are making a wedding gift commemorating the unholy marriage between big money and big government or someone needs to hand it a sign saying "I'm Stupid!" ...more

November 7, 2009

This past Wednesday I read with interest the letter from Dallas Dunlap, and halfway through it I was struck by something he said: "Complaints about pork and rising deficits miss the point. To the economy, it doesn't much matter how the money is spent." ...more

March 13, 2009

We all know the taxman cometh on April 15, but just when did he start knocking on your ancestors' doors? Better yet, what can we learn about his visits? ...more

February 22, 2009

One member of the media can see the face of an undercover agent who authorities say posed as a hit man known as "Reaper" willing to kill an IRS agent for a Polk County man. ...more

December 11, 2008

TAMPA A federal judge is scheduled to decide today whether an undercover agent who posed as a hit man known as "Reaper" can testify behind a screen to protect his identify. The agent is a key witness in the trial of Randy Nowak, 49, a construction company owner from Mulberry who is accused of plotting to kill IRS officer Christine Brand. ...more

December 11, 2008

A federal prosecutor has asked U.S. District Judge James Moody to allow an undercover FBI agent to testify behind a screen and use a pseudonym in a murder-for-hire trial. ...more

November 19, 2008

Joe the Plumber's story sprang a few leaks Thursday. Turns out that the man who was held up by John McCain as the typical, hard-working American taxpayer isn't really a licensed plumber. And court documents show he owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes. ...more

October 17, 2008

HOLLAND, Ohio - Joe the Plumber said Thursday he doesn't have a license and doesn't need one. Joe Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, the nickname Republican John McCain bestowed on him during Wednesday's presidential debate, said he works for a small plumbing company that does residential work. Because he works for someone else, he doesn't need a license, he said. ...more

October 16, 2008

A Mulberry man pleaded not guilty this morning to charges he plotted to kill an Internal Revenue Service agent who was investigating his business dealings. ...more

September 10, 2008

Randy James Nowak parked his Ford Excursion at a Home Depot in Lakeland and greeted a man he knew only as Reaper. ...more

August 7, 2008