Tax season is upon us, Uncle Sam''s got both palms open and an expectant look upon his face. How do Monterey County residents feel about handing over their hard-earned dollars, and the way the government spends their green?

Richard Givot

Resides: Monterey

Age: 30

Occupation: Student

Would you change the IRS? I''d change hiring practices to make it a non-civil service job, and eradicate ''voice mail jail''-I want to talk to a real person.

Could taxes be better spent? Yes, by reforming education.

Are tax forms too complicated? The EZ forms are OK but others are too hard.

B.W. Malek

Resides: Pacific Grove

Age: 58

Occupation: D.L.I. Faculty

Are taxes too high? Mine were last year.

Are tax forms too complicated? Extremely.I gave up doing my own five years ago.

Should we reform the IRS? We should abolish the IRS, but we should pay taxes, that''s how the country runs.

What would you pay more for? Strong defense, taking care of the elderly and poor. We need to educate them, give them skills.

Anita DeCarlo

Resides: Carmel

Age: 56

Occupation: Adult Educator

Are taxes fair? The wealthiest pay the least, the middle class carries the burden.

What would you pay more for? Better health care. We''re a First World country with no health care program-and the roads are falling apart.

Should the wealthy who provide jobs pay less taxes? That''s ridiculous. Their employees make them money.

Lucy Viletstra

Resides: Monterey

Age: 27

Should we reform the IRS? I don''t know much about the IRS.

Do you contribute to presidential campaigns on tax forms? No, they spend too much on campaigns.

Do you do your own taxes? Yes I do, but I don''t have very complicated taxes.

Pope Coleman

Resides: Carmel

Age: 71

Occupation: Retired

Are taxes too high? No, the public needs to support their government.

Are tax dollars well spent? We should spend money on children, not on prisons. I''d spend more on an education system that works.

Do you check ''yes'' on the elections donations box? Always. Our representatives shouldn''t spend time raising money.