Daschle

You have got to be kidding me. Another one. For those of you not following the story Tom Daschle is being proposed to head the Health and Human Services Department. After meeting with his lawyers and accountants, Daschle announced he was deeply embarrassed and disappointed about his failure to pay more than $120,000 in taxes. So, he paid them and $11,964 in interest. This was due because for 3 years he was provided a car and driver by a company whose board Daschle was on. Much of this use was personal. Therefore you must pay taxes on it. He didn’t. As I’ve mentioned before, this is not rocket science. It’s a standard piece of tax law. It’s in every standard tax book and software program.

Senator John Kerry “It’s obviously a mistake. But I think it’s an innocent mistake. I don’t think it affects one iota his ability to do the job.” (Meet the Press)

President Obama’s spokesman, Robert Gibbs. “The President believes nobody’s perfect, but that nobody’s hiding anything.”

Senator Charles Schumer “Tom identified and self disclosed his oversight. I believe Tom’s reputation for integrity will assure that he will be confirmed by the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate.”

Again, I'd like to see what happens if I forget to pay $120,000 in taxes over a three year period. I mean, it's obviously a mistake. He has a reputation for integrity (well deserved???).

And this guy is getting in. I'm sure that he can relate to the regular person's concerns about health care. How about the regular person's concerns about paying their taxes.