GIVEN THAT THE LAST SIX YEARS HAVE BEEN A LOW POINT FOR ETHICS AT THE IRS, SHE SHOULD SLINK OUT THE BACK DOOR. BUT SO SHOULD ALL OF THEM: Karen Hawkins To Step Down As Director Of IRS Office Of Professional Responsibility. But read her retirement statement for some real insight into how bureaucrats think. My favorite bit: “While the vision has yet to be achieved, I believe the goals have not only been reached, but surpassed. There can be no doubt that recognition of the Office and the Regulations Governing Practice before the IRS has increased exponentially in the past six years. Six years ago when I gave my first speeches (whether to tax professionals or to IRS personnel) few (outside the Enrolled Agent ranks) knew what the OPR was or did.”