Democrats and Taxes

I've often wondered how rich Congressional Democrats (specifically senators) could sit there and wail that the rich don't pay enough taxes when they too are rich. I've wondered why they would want to increase taxes on themselves. I know, I know, it's patriotic they say. They are doing their duty, they say.

Well I've never really bought that. And it seems to me, I have my answer.

They just don't pay them. Instance one. Instance two. Instance three.

Nancy Killefer [instance three], who failed for a year and a half to pay employment taxes on household help, has withdrawn her candidacy to be the first chief performance officer for the federal government, the White House said Tuesday.

Tom Daschle, is of course, instance two. And it looks like he's going to have to resign. Not only did he lie about income, he also lied about his primary residence for his homestead exemption in 2004. HAHAHAHA! I have always loathed that guy. He's an obstructionist meanie and I've never liked him. And now even the NYT is calling for his withdrawal. Seems they can forgive Geitner [instance one] and his tax problems as "goofs," but not Tommy boy.

From a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial:

One of these individuals, Timothy Geithner, will be charged with leading the very agency he attempted to stiff, the U.S. Treasury. The other, Tom Daschle, if confirmed by the United States Senate, would lead the Obama Administration’s efforts to cram socialized medicine down the throats of the American people – a plan that would cost taxpayers billions and billions of dollars.

That’s what’s so hypocritical about these revelations. One of these picks will be keeping an eye on our nation’s finances. The other wants to spend more of our money. Yet neither found it necessary to pay the taxes they owed? That is, until they realized it would harm their chances of getting jobs in which their salaries will be paid by guess who? Taxpayers.

Further, Daschle worked as a lobbyist (an unregistered lobbyist but a lobbyist all the same, he fought for government money for health care people). What about all of Obama's campaign promises not to do the "quid pro quo" thing and have a bunch of lobbyists in his administration? He seems to be breaking that rule, along with his vow to have the most ethical and open door administration ever.

"It was probably a mistake to come down so hard on lobbyists," said Melanie Sloan, who is not shy about criticizing lobbyists or politicians as executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "I think the Obama folks' intentions were great here," she said. "But sometimes you realize you can't actually govern on just what you campaigned on."

Ooooh, be careful there Melanie Sloan. Bush Sr. ran on no new taxes and what happened there? Yeah he raised taxes and lost in 4 years. I find this kind of justification sickening. If you can't govern based on what you promised, what the hell did people elect you for?

My question ... Daschle was a Senator for 18 years. And the reports are that he cheated in 2004 and last year. What about previous years?

And why doesn't this come up for ever single Senator before they are sworn in? Or re-sworn in? I want a tax check on every Senator sitting. Right now. If they want my money, I want theres. Life isn't always fair, as we all know, but as my mother says, when it can be, it should be.