by Structured Settlement Watchdog
When you receive a gift, one learns from an early age that it's good manners to say thank you to the actual source of the gift.
In updating this post in July 2025, we've reached the 10 year anniversary of one the silliest still published statements of misplaced gratitude by a structured settlement consulting firm and into the 8th and 5th year of the same firm doubling and tripling down on the silliness.
Silly Structured Settlement Statements (say that 10 times really fast). Breathe deeply. OK, let's move on to "the triple lindy"…
- "Structures are "The Greatest Gift the IRS ever gave to injured individuals" July 31, 2015, authored by Ken Paradis STILL PUBLISHED on LinkedIn
- "Structures are "The Greatest Gift the IRS ever gave to injured individuals" May 22, 2017 STILL PUBLISHED
- "Structures are not only the greatest gift the IRS provided to injured to injured individuals" but also the goose and its golden eggs" March 30, 2021, authored by William Wakelee, links to 2017 post. STILL PUBLISHED
It seems someone is living in a parallel universe where Congress, the IRS, and the Constitution are just casual bedtime stories, while 6th Century BC's Aesop's Fables—complete with golden eggs and a dash of flair—serve as their legal handbook. Their impressively wrong statements are practically deserving of an award for one of the most creative published misunderstandings of Congress's authority, constitutional tax powers, and the IRS's duties in a blog.
The Different Roles of Congress and the IRS with Respect to Taxes
- In the United States, the Congress passes tax laws and requires taxpayers to comply.
- The taxpayer’s role is to understand and meet his or her tax obligations.
- The IRS role is to help the large majority of compliant taxpayers with the tax law, while ensuring that the minority who are unwilling to comply pay their fair share. [ Source: IRS.gov The Agency Its Mission and Statutory Authority]
Who Deserves Thanks?
- Thank you to the Members of Congress of 1982. 97th United States Congress – Wikipedia
- Thank you to "The Gipper", President Ronald Reagan, for signing the Periodic Payment Settlement Act of 1982 into law on January 22, 1983.
- Thank you to the pioneers of the structured settlement industry and the industry lawyers for their advocacy in those early days.
- Thank you to the members of Congress, including members of the Structured Settlement Caucus, and members of our industry who, over the past 40-plus years, have carried the torch and shared our story with those who needed to hear it.
- Finally, gratitude also goes to members of the IRS, such as Mike Montemurro and others, who took the time to understand the value of the structured settlement industry, the services it provides, which has provided guidance and assistance as new product applications were introduced throughout the years.
"Does Anyone Really Know What Time It is…Does Anyone Really Care?"-ChicagoTransit Authority
I care because it's worth caring that consumers get the clearest path to accurate information about structured settlements.
Last updated July 28, 2025