We welcome Francine J. Lipman as our guest blogger today with her reflection on the tenure of Nina Olson as National Taxpayer Advocate. Francine is the William S. Boyd Professor of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Francine is also a terrific (and creative) writer as you will see when you read this post and she is a tireless advocate for low income taxpayers from her position as a doctrinal professor. Keith
(sing to Seasons of Love from Rent by Mr. Jonathan D. Larson)
Nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes.
Nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred moments in a career.
Nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes.
How do you measure.
Measure NTA Olson’s career?
In tax refunds?
In blog posts?
In reports to Congress?
In reforms, in speeches, in analytics?
In nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes.
How do you measure eighteen years of a stellar career?
How about taxpayers?
How about LTAs?
How about LITCs?
Measure in rights …
Seasons of taxpayer rights ….
Seasons of taxpayer rights …
Nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes.
Nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred words in her plans.
Nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes.
How do you measure a career of a woman so grand?
In truths that we learned,
Or in times that she heard?
In bridges that she built,
Or the respect that she earned?
It’s time now to sing out,
though public service never ends.
Let’s celebrate eighteen years of advocacy we must commend.
Remember passion …
(Oh, you’ve got to you’ve got to remember taxpayer rights)
Remember tax maps …
(You know the rights are a gift from Congress)
Remember tireless service
and tax vans
(Share rights, give rights, protect rights, measure Nina’s career in rights)
Seasons of taxpayer rights …
Seasons of taxpayer rights …
Post Script
Dear National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson:
Thank you for the nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes in which you have inspired, mentored, driven, pushed, prodded, probed, analyzed, sacrificed, written, crunched, calculated, blogged, testified, criticized, applauded and lead generations of passion warriors for tax justice from sea to shining sea and across the globe to be the best we can be. In nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes you have touched countless lives (including uncountable kids) and exponentially changed the world for the better. For this alone our gratitude is immeasurable and our respect for all that you have accomplished immense.
As Maya (Angelou), said, “When someone shows you who they are believe them, the first time.” Like Christine (A. Brunswick) and Janet (R. Spragens) you showed us who you were when you called Keith Fogg at IRS’ Chief Counsel and pitched your epiphany about a low-income taxpayer clinic in the 1990s. And the rest is “herstory,” your incredible tax story. We are in shock and awe at what you have accomplished for a greater good. And know that your public service will never end.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.” Margaret Mead
Because you have …
With gratitude, appreciation, and nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred thank yous,
Francine J. Lipman (one of nine million, four sixty thousand, eight hundred indebted #TeamNina foreverfans)
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