Because, at this point, I have to think the answer is no.
After a string of Obama nominees disclosed tax issues – including confirmed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and failed nominees Tom Daschle and Nancy Killefer – yet another has been revealed. Ron Kirk, Obama’s nomination for U.S. Trade Representative, owes an estimated $10,000 in back taxes.
The tax obligations, which were revealed by the Senate Finance Committee, are related to Kirk’s handling of speaking fees and for entertainment deductions.
Kirk failed to report to income that he received for speaking fees because he donated the fees to his alma mater, Austin College. He apparently assumed that it would be a “wash” due to the charitable deduction but it was not. The difference is a whopping $5,800.
Kirk also deducted the full cost of season tickets to the Dallas Mavericks as entertainment expenses. He should have deducted just under $10,000 for the tickets, resulting in an increase in $2,600.
Unbelievably, White House spokesman Ben LaBolt referred to the obligations as “a few minor issues.” It is widely believed that Kirk will be confirmed.
I say “unbelievably” because I don’t actually care that Kirk made a mistake or two (giving him the benefit of the doubt) on his taxes. He’s done that before: last fall, Kirk amended his 2006 income tax return for 2006 after he was assessed by the IRS. That happens.
What blows my mind, however, is how many of these issues come to light only during confirmation hearings and are still not paid. News agencies are reporting that he’s “agreed” to pay what he owes from several years back. Really? He’s “agreed”? He hasn’t yet done it? He’s a top-level government nominee and he hasn’t straightened out his finances yet? It’s simply unacceptable.
Don’t get me wrong. I truly believe that people make mistakes. Sometimes, people make those “mistakes” on purpose. The key to good character isn’t not making mistakes but fixing them once you’re aware of them. It seems that in government, you don’t fix them until the country is aware of them.
Obama’s team should be scrambling to make folks understand that this is not acceptable. A $10,000 tax liability from years ago doesn’t qualify as “a few minor issues.” It’s a big deal. You fix that kind of stuff as quickly as you can – not just when the press comes calling.
I have referred to this very issue in previous comments. The numbers of nominees that have tax trouble is still continuing to rise.
One would think that people generally in favor of more taxation and gov. spending would gladly pay their taxes and avoid shaky deductions and omissions while those opposed to these policies would have more trouble paying. Politicians, holly wood stars, the lefty investor class like Buffett and Soros should be excited to pay big tax bills. Instead, we find that what we have here are elitists, trying so hard to make people believe that they like the high taxes they promote while doing everything in their power to avoid paying.
The list of Obama nominees that are tax evaders is growing weekly. It has grown beyond coincidence and convinces me that most well heeled lefties are doing everything in their power to avoid their taxes.
If one argues that these people aren’t elitists, why is it that they continually attempt to cheat the system they so often champion?
Maybe in Washington, there are no competent tax preparers available. I am sure that the Tax Girl wouldn’t agree with that.
Filing a tax return shouldn’t be rocket science. Those in the know in Washington who have failed in numerous ways to correctly file have personified just how out of control the system is. I feel that every single House member and Congress person should personally be in charge of filling out and filing their own taxes. Maybe when they see how cumbersome the whole matter is they will do something to fix it.
This makes me furious as a taxpayer.
I think the IRS should do a complete audit of all politicians and all previous politicians. It might help pay for some of the stimulus.
Why would they? All that will happen, if they get caught, is a “naughty naughty, some interest charges and the taxes that were due in the first place. I am not sure if penalties were charged for all these “honest mistakes” or “minor matters” or however they are referred to when they happen to politicians. And for all the ones that are caught, how many got away with it? And are continuing to get away with it?
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