Ingineers Ramblings

The problem with our tax system is what you mentioned in a different comment that it's so complex. I doubt he intended to cheat. He made too much money to purposely try to cheat for that small an amount; and that money he made $4 million since he lost his Senate seat) might be also questioned as it's what most senators do when they get kicked out of office, make a fortune off lobbying.

Daschle was loaned a car and driver that was not counted by the company for which he worked as income. He should have realized it was taxable compensation; but if you have ever been self-employed, you know how complicated this gets. I wonder whether the government officials who get cars at their service, also pay taxes on the benefit. It gets to be a mess.

Reassuringly MSNBC did a poll for Hardball asking how many Americans thought it was okay to cheat on their income taxes. Only 9% said it was. It is why this system works.

I don't think it's just Democrats who get into this mess but maybe Republicans don't bother to check as they are less concerned with propriety. I mean this came up because Daschle checked with his own accountants to see if it was okay. He didn't get caught. He went looking.

Since Farm Boss went into business for himself after he retired from corporate life, I know how complicated doing your taxes is. You don't do them. You give them to someone and they depend on you giving them all but sometimes you don't realize something is taxable. It goes in circles and I would much prefer a simpler system like say a consumption tax but fat chance of that happening.
 

We agree on the tax system being way too complicated. Just wait until Congress starts running health care for all Americans. Then we will see how they can really mess something up.

And the fact that Daschle has been a lobbyist is another whole category. Obama gave the big speech about evil lobbyists not being allowed in the White House then he starts appointing them to his cabinet.
 

I bet you couldn't get anybody in that town if they weren't currently in office, who knew anything about the issues, who wasn't one. It's a totally corrupt system. We can see how he does with it.
 

That is very true. Well Daschle is out. That was a pretty big obstacle to over come. I personally am glad to see him go. I did not like him when he was in office.

The lady that did not pay taxes on domestic help could trip up most anyone and I do not think it would have stopped a regular cabinet appointment. But she is in the accounting business and was going to head up accountability, so she should have a spotless track record on accounting for that job.
 

here's one on another 'tax dodger' for those who think these problems only happen to the evil left *s*
Palin's owe back taxes... Innocent? well depends on what your party loyalty is perhaps