Lawyers, accountants, and ..... money

Mark Everson has an opinion piece over at The New York Times about the growing influence of lawyers and accountants.  He makes some interesting observations that are important to keep in mind as we continue to debate the relative paths to sound fiscal health as a nation, particularly tax reform.  He says,

Lawyers and accountants who were once the proud pillars of our financial system have become the happy architects of its circumvention. Nowhere is this more the case than in the world of tax law. Companies (and wealthy individuals) pay handsomely for tax professionals not just to find the lines, but to push them ever outward.

Maybe Cyndi Lauper (from her 1998 album "Wanna Have Fun") had it about right many years ago.

Money changes everything
Money, money changes everything
We think we know what we're doin'
That don't mean a thing
It's all in the past now
Money changes everything