Fascinating thread on why DOGE's notion of rewriting the IRS's code is likely to be a disaster - ThreadSky

jeisinger.bsky.social • 11 days ago

Fascinating thread on why DOGE's notion of rewriting the IRS's code is likely to be a disaster

So, the DOGE kids intend to rewrite the social-security administration's COBOL code-base!

and they want to do it ...

... in *a few months*

I did a huge dive into COBOL a few years ago (www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/magazi...) ...

... so let me explain why DOGE is *way* over its skis here

1/9

Comments

valjswisher.bsky.social•11 days ago

And who is paying for this next fiasco?

angusm.bsky.social•11 days ago

All of us.

bettypf.bsky.social•11 days ago

Social Security and yes, it would be a disaster and it must NOT happen.

jeisinger.bsky.social•11 days ago

Whoops, yes had that on the brain. The IRS also runs COBOL.

carenow.bsky.social•11 days ago

May I ask why IRS is on your brain?

I’m desperate for any news that may signal a reversal of the tremendous damage that’s already been done. Failing that, I’d like to at least be able to warn my soon-to-be-former colleagues. And, many of them may soon join me as ex-IRS.

I’m seeing a death spiral.

jeisinger.bsky.social•11 days ago

I follow IRS news closely. Paul Kiel & I wrote a series called "Gutting the IRS" back in 2018-19: https://www.propublica.org/series/gutting-the-irs (scroll down for the main story: "How the IRS was Gutted.")

One of my reporters, Andy Kroll, is following the latest, if you have any tips or suggestions.

carenow.bsky.social•11 days ago

I’m aware of your work. I’ve been with IRS for 39 years & am retiring under duress next month. I’ve been telling my story, sharing what I’ve read in the press & will be more of an activist after I leave. My one suggestion: IRS executives should resign en masse tomorrow. They know what’s coming.

carenow.bsky.social•11 days ago

One last thing: IRS’ blessing & curse is its apolitical nature. It was unable to defend itself during the pre-‘98 Roth hearings & the post-Citizens United 501(c)(4) mess. Treasury lets IRS twist alone in the wind every time & no politician is eager to champion tax collectors. But they all should!

azsuzeblue.bsky.social•10 days ago

Many lotteries likely still do also.

mitycheese.bsky.social•10 days ago

As someone who was once a 20-something engineer, this is a very common outlook. You see something old and confusing and you just say "throw it out, I can do it better." If you're still employed 10 years later, you know better.

billbeaird.bsky.social•11 days ago

Yeah, there’s not a financial institution that doesn’t run COBOL. If there was a better alternative, they’d use it. Also reflects how LITTLE innovation has actually happened in computer science

azsuzeblue.bsky.social•10 days ago

Cobol classes were why I got an advertising degree instead.

dubya-tea-efff.bsky.social•10 days ago

I’m the opposite. COBOL classes were how I became a programmer instead of a network engineer.

azsuzeblue.bsky.social•10 days ago

Brush up and there is plenty of work ahead it appears for those in your distinct relic's trade association.

dubya-tea-efff.bsky.social•10 days ago

I’m pretty up to speed already, I’ve been doing mainframe development almost daily since 2009. I just don’t want to work in the public sector, as the pay and benefits wouldn’t be as good as they are in the private sector.

azsuzeblue.bsky.social•10 days ago

Many functions are best subbed out by the Feds.

But there is protocol for bidding, and prior to bids being solocited, any sole source concerns are identified.

While Elon is unique, he is not a "sole source" for actual solutions needed by our federal administration functions.

Elon is a disruptor.

ironhorse5888.bsky.social•11 days ago

Please understand - they dont care about the code. They will be writing their own rules to SSA.

anna-louise-ellis.bsky.social•10 days ago

THEY won’t be writing it….

mclevin.bsky.social•11 days ago

Lots of govt agencies, banks, and hospitals run on COBOL, and should be updated. However, the underlying business process generally aren’t supported in the modern systems, so historical data don’t match or users can’t transact.

Old systems still exist bc new systems don’t support the work.

nurseferatu.bsky.social•11 days ago

Evil vs incompetence with the exact same outcome.

rpgill.bsky.social•11 days ago

Oh, they'll do it. It won't work, and a lot of people will be very angry. Probably the end of Elon's dream, but fixing what isn't broken is the dream of every tech bro out there.

doobius.bsky.social•10 days ago

So likely to be a disaster that I can only assume that that's the point.

crgulsvig.bsky.social•11 days ago

COBOL compiler developer here. (Yes, I'm old.) DOGE doesn't have a clue.

narfnampil.bsky.social•10 days ago

Yikes! But Congress has plenary power to tax under the US Constitution/not DOGE … rewriting the Internal Revenue Code or the software running the dated IRS’ software is likely not a good idea especially during APRIL!

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