On second thought ...

Beware of the "Buffetting" winds of an election-year tax debate.

President Obama's Warren Buffett rule, which taxes the rich for no particular reason other than to make people feel good, got a vote in the Senate last week. It lost. Apparently, Warren Buffett's secretary just can't catch a break.

Meanwhile, the House countered the Buffett rule with a proposal to cut taxes on just about every business in the country. Both proposals promised to raise about $47 billion in revenue. The budget deficit is more than $1 trillion. This is like a family that owes thousands in credit card debt arguing over whether Johnny should get a paper route or mow lawns to bring in an extra $5 a week.

Last Tuesday in Utah was the Great Shakeout. Or was it the Great Shakedown? It's hard to know when an earthquake drill happens on the same day taxes are due.

Even the tactics are the same. If the IRS calls to say it wants to audit your returns, the best strategy is to crawl under a desk and hang on.

Meanwhile, officials report that thousands of illegal immigrants filed income tax returns in Utah this year. Apparently, even they would rather take their chances with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents than with the IRS.

Word out of Washington is that the agency charged with protecting the president is changing its name to "Victoria's Secret Service."

Jay Evensen is the associate editor of the Deseret News editorial page. Follow him on Twitter @jayevensen.