Your Aug. 27 editorial about the IRS and private collection agencies mostly echoes my sentiments on the subject. IRS outsourcing to private collection agencies is unacceptable.

However, the IRS doesn't need more resources. It seems to have trouble doing its job with the resources it already has. Giving it more won't make any difference, because resources aren't the problem. The tax code is the problem.

Our tax code has grown steadily more complex, unwieldy, expensive and out of control ever since its overhaul in 1986. The IRS is increasingly unable to cope with the tax code, and puts much of its resources to uses unrelated to raising revenue and contrary to the wishes of the Founders.

Like Icarus flying ever closer to the sun, the tax system appears to be headed for self-destruction. It is far beyond any fix and is losing respect and credibility. The only reasonable solution is to finally and completely scrap it and replace it. I support the revenue-neutral FairTax plan. (www.fairtax.org, 1-800-FairTax).

Chad Sargent

Raleigh