Is Capitol Hill full of tax evaders, or what? Seems the list gets longer and longer these days, but I guess they have so much wealth they can hardly keep up with it all for Uncle Sam's sake, and the people they pay to do so are apparently quite incompetent.
You see, President Obama's choice for secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Daschle, has surfaced as yet another tax culprit for not paying $100,000 in taxes concerning his groovy use of a Cadillac and driver when Daschle was still a high-rolling member of Congress.
Oops, that's hilarious! ;p
Because about a dozen years ago, my tax preparer made an arithmetic error by exactly $100 and it was No Time At All before the IRS sent me a letter pointing out the error and demanding their 100 bucks pronto.
They strained at 100 but apparently missed 100,000 - of a US 'lawmaker' who should know the rules! Ain't Washington amusing sometimes? This little gnat might still be in jail if I had let the interest mount for years, you betcha, and needless to say, I complied forthwith. Render unto Caesar and all that.
The Caesars of Washington should try following their own laws, and ignorance is no excuse.
Still, it's a worrisome negative for the new administration if Daschle's appointment stalls completely - and his tax-paying lapse (which was paid during Obama's vetting process) isn't Daschle's only problem.
Yet if the powers-that-be-in-charge want him in Obama's cabinet, they'll find a way round these trifles, and the Senate Finance Committee is planning to hold a closed-door meeting on Monday afternoon to figure out how.
You can bet your arithmetic-challenged tax preparer on that.
~:~
Astrology Note: I bet Team Obama will be mighty glad when Inaugural Mercury Rx goes Direct and moves beyond its shadow degree so glitches will lessen!
4 comments:
If each of us would reflect upon our lives, even though committed to service and humanity, we will find failings, flaws, lies, things not done quite as truthful as they should have been, because we are not perfect. Yet, still, we want to make this world a better place for all. Some have this calling to higher service of humanity -- flaws and all.
Thanks for your kind comment, bacalove!
I'm certain that most people do reflect on their lives - and one good tool for this is Astrology.
All are human and flawed - boy, do I agree!
But 'lawmakers' put themselves in a different class when they hold themselves up to be worthy of making laws for others to follow - laws that we-the-people are held to no matter what.
And yet I know that manmade laws are always flawed - only God's laws are perfect.
It stretches credulity to believe that Daschle (and many other lawmakers) didn't realize that a gift of a Cadillac with driver was considered income under tax law. That's what's so crazy. He had to know.
Yes, amends were made during the vetting process, but one still wonders: if he failed in this instance, what else has he ignored?
Perhaps all Capitol Hillers should be subject to closer scrutiny in matters of ethics relating to tax laws.
Guess the "ethics" seminars of a couple of years ago have't been completely successful! What political theater that was - but you can't legislate morality, as you & i know. It must come from within - and that perhaps is what's missing in many Washington politicians (along with a conscience.)
Plus, I see a difference in natural human failings and purposeful dishonesty - and that's the line they will be discussing - to determine which side he's on - or how to make Dashcle Seem to be on the right side concerning this issue.
And for the Obama adm, it's an undermining situation for a political appointee to have such a questionable start. As I mentioned, the questionable Cadillac/tax issue isn't the only ethics hurdle for Tom Dashcle to cross.
jude
Well-i didn't realize that the car and the driver were considered income no doubt because no one has ever gifted me in that way.
I feel really icky about this right now-normal people can't keep up with what is demanded of them financially if they go to Washington,etc. But then on the other hand where was Daschle's accountant in this. Don't people such as Daschle hire people who look into all the angles and make sure they appear upright just for days like this? This is a mess and I was hoping for someone who knows Washington to fill that position.
Clymela,
No one has ever 'gifted' me that way either and I knew it would be considered income by the IRS - duh!!!
And this is one of the reason it's such a farce - of course he knew. But as i said, the wealthy have such abundance it must be"really difficult" keeping up with it all...and that's not counting Peter robbing Paul!
Puh! to them all, jude
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