Isn't it about time that "We the People" set term limits on how long a Congress person can remain in office? It seems to me that there are too many of them that have lost sight of why they are there! It is no longer about what is best for the people of the U.S. but the need of the party to win. I believe the following:

1) Set term limits.

2) Do not allow automatic pay raises ( We get raises for what we accomplish. Let the people of the respective state decide by reelecting them, then they would receive a raise equal to the cost of living plus five percent). Again, the National Debt issue .

3) No retirement money until the retirement age established for social security.

4) Complete transparency of cost for all their perquisite. ( Congressional Gym...etc.)

5) No more "PORK" added to bills... it maybe good for those that support a particular politician but "We The People" can no longer afford "bridges to no where". Remember the National Dept!!!!????

         Don'T You Think It Is Time For "The Silent Majority" To Make A Lot Of Noise,

                 In Stead Of Mumbling,Complaining​ And Going With The Flow?????

I agree with the refund argument. However, I often ask myself, if EVERYONE filed the "perfect" return where the taxes owed matches the taxes paid exactly by 12/31 then the government would not have the "interest free loan".

What happens when the government does not have your interest free money to "play" with during the year? They start mandating higher taxes so now its not a loan. Its an obligation. In other words, I feel like its "loan it to me or im taking it for good" strategy because they really do use these monies during the year. 

Just a thought.  

I will change my withholdings this year though. I increased my 401K contribution every year so this coming year I will definitely increase it to max out. I will also change my allowances so more of it is in my paycheck.

I,like most people had the brainwashed mindset that a big refund is good. Its like using the government as your bank account. And for those who have no self control can be a good thing but like the article states with all this fraud, who knows what might happen.  We may get a letter in the mail from the govt saying "sorry we need your money to cover our losses and since you are a citizen it is your obligation to contribute to the solution" .....LOL!!

I think its time to stop all welfare payments, food stamps, government workers paychecks (including president, senate and congress)  until a decision is reached. 

Then  once one is reached a new welfare reform should be put into place.  This would help decrease the deficit, including mandatory drug testing for all recipients.   Then form a welfare task force to check homes of recipients to make sure they own nothing, and that there are no additional working people (ex: live in boyfriends, etc...) in the homes.  Next, those who still qualify would be put to work cleaning highways, government buildings, picking up trash and working in childcare to take care of those who are working and on welfare. 

Next a mandatory 15% pay decrease to all government workers.  This would weed out who really wants to work for the people.  All gifts, donations etc.. to president, congress and senate are made illegal.  And, their co-pays for insurance are doubled.  No bonuses, no perks, no trips, nothing.  No parties at the whitehouse canceled, no personal chefs, let them cook for themselves.  No more traveling on our expense, they need to fly to hawaii on there own buck. 

And finally, a sliding scale for big corporation CEO's that their salary be in check to the salary that they are paying their employee's.  If not huge tax penalties would be imposed on their corporations.  Also, that they employee at least 75% of their workforce here in the USA or they would be severely taxed on their product.  And  all imported products would have a major import tax.  It is time to make US products more affordable than the made in Taiwan crap people purchase.

Just sayin it might work for us.

....while my wife and i try to make do...and we do...live on our social security and somewhat of our savings...i have a hard time to think that we give our representatives in washington dc, 174 thou to play with plus benefits....to do what they do three days a week....and seem tos think we live high on the hog....?