The absurd American Paradox— You still pay, even when they don’t work

Only in Washington can the government shut down and still send you a tax bill.

There’s something downright absurd about Washington’s favorite circus, the so-called “government shutdown.” The lights go out, the bureaucrats go home, the national parks close, and the media act like civilization is ending. TSA workers go on half pay, veterans’ calls go unanswered, and families cancel long-planned trips because the parks are barricaded. But one thing never shuts down, the IRS. Somehow, through every budget standoff and fiscal cliff, the one arm of government that always keeps running is the one that takes your money.

That’s the great American paradox. You can’t get your passport, your veterans’ benefits are delayed, your federal offices are locked, but your tax bill is still due on time. Wash