Althouse: "So I guess that whole 'I forgot' thing works after all! Thank you, Steve Martin!"

January 26, 2009

"So I guess that whole 'I forgot' thing works after all! Thank you, Steve Martin!"

LOL.

49 comments:

JohnAnnArbor said...: Three Democrats and one independent voted against Geithner's confirmation, including Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., the longest-serving senator in history.

"Had he not been nominated for treasury secretary, it's doubtful that he would have ever paid these taxes," Byrd said in a statement.

I agree with Byrd. For once.; 1/26/09, 8:40 PM
The Crack Emcee said...: Amazing, isn't it? I watched his acceptance speech with a friend of mine and we both just shook our heads at the blatant hypocrisy. Anyone else who did what this guy has would be punished, in some way, but he gets a plumb job - with the president to back him up on it.

There's no way this kind of stuff can last. Reality is being stretched too far. I'm putting my money on Blago because, by refusing to crawl under the bus, he's probably the only real thing out there, which is saying something.

Oh yea - you want to be amused:

Kid walks by and a catholic priest coos "I want to fuck that kid." A Rabbi looks at the kid, and then back at the priest, and says "Out of what?"; 1/26/09, 8:41 PM
traditionalguy said...: That's so funny. The CPA's always say "try it and see if you are audited." Of course, attys have to warn you about the penalties and interest that will make a $500 saving cost you $5000 if an auditor catches you. Steve Martin hit the nail on the head: The leader of the IRS should not be a person who goes ahead and tries to slip one by.; 1/26/09, 8:43 PM
Big Mike said...: Sad, just sad.; 1/26/09, 9:00 PM
George M. Spencer said...: Then there's the mature speechwriter who gropes a cut-out of the Secretary of State, the people person Chief of Staff who says that Republicans are “bad people who deserve a two-by-four upside their heads.”

It call comes from the top, from the Prez who sez "I won."

Worst of all, it's not like Obama is known to have any deep knowledge of economics. No business management experience, unless you count his education debacle. Never started a company. Has he ever fired anyone? No MBA. No degree in economics. No family history of business (i.e. his parents weren't business people.)

He'll do what his advisers tell him is best.

This arrogant crew will get their comeuppance. Always have, always will.; 1/26/09, 9:02 PM
Curtiss said...: I've used Turbo Tax many times in the past. But now, life is more complicated, so I have a CPA do my taxes. And I'm just a little guy, not the head of the New York Fed or anything.

Anyway, that Geithner fellow must be very clever. I never could get that Turbo Tax program to work without telling it how much money I made and how much taxes I paid.

A very clever fellow, indeed.; 1/26/09, 9:06 PM
vbspurs said...: This arrogant crew will get their comeuppance. Always have, always will.

People said that of Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Rove too.

But somehow, I think like you, OG. Probably because people have less tolerance for personal corruption, deviance and muscle, rather than "abusing" power on behalf of protecting Americans.

Cheers,
Victoria; 1/26/09, 9:07 PM
BJM said...: Works for Pelosi too,who seems to have forgotten her 5 children, 5 grandchildren and 5 brothers in her newly found zeal for population control.; 1/26/09, 9:11 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: This arrogant crew will get their comeuppance. Always have, always will.

Too bad we have to pay for it.; 1/26/09, 9:11 PM
Kathy said...: I have a friend who didn't pay her taxes one year--her boss told her he was withholding them for her, but he never paid the IRS. That's still her responsibility, and when the IRS found out she was the one holding the bag. She went through hell for years until she finally found a law firm in another state who would handle her case (she couldn't file for bankruptcy because of her unique circumstances, so the local firms weren't interested). She'll never pay off her debt to the IRS in full.

But this guy skates. . .; 1/26/09, 9:16 PM
reader_iam said...: but he gets a plumb job

Yeah, he's getting a plumbing job, all right. Let's just hope his previous plum jobs have equipped him for it.

No family history of business (i.e. his parents weren't business people.)

That depends on what you mean. His maternal grandfather managed a furniture store, among other things, and his maternal grandmother became one of the first female bank vice-presidents in Hawaii. Surely by now it's well known that he was significantly raised by them, in conjunction with his mother. Isn't it?

""So I guess that whole 'I forgot' thing works after all! Thank you, Steve Martin!""

Yeah, it does. Selectively. The more things change, the more they stay the same. (Including the clichés.); 1/26/09, 9:18 PM
Donna B. said...: Since he was not legally required to pay those taxes, perhaps it is not proper to call him a tax cheat.

Certainly I would not pay any taxes that could not be legally extracted from me. But then, I'm not a member of a party who thinks taxes are good.

What truly worries me is that the evidence points to a man who is really stupid, or to one who will try anything, including feigning stupidity, to get around paying taxes.

Do I want either of those types heading up the IRS or the bank bailouts?

No, I don't.; 1/26/09, 9:21 PM
TitusYouAreSoSuave said...: I would of voted for him, he's hot.

Nice hair and lips.

Looks like he has a good body. He is a runner and swimmer.

I am imagining a smooth, toned body with minimal hair, nice ass, and pretty uncut hog.; 1/26/09, 9:24 PM
MarkW said...: I agree with Byrd. For once.

Well of course he wouldn't have paid them -- is there any doubt? But more than that, he was *obviously* lying about it being a 'mistake'. It has been pointed out that the IMF explicitly informs employees of their tax obligations AND paid Geitner extra to cover the tax owed (which he pocketed instead). The same is true of the child camp tax deduction -- he knew it wasn't allowed and took it anyway.

What kind of man in his position tries to cheat the IRS out of a few hundred bucks in child care tax credits? Answer -- our treasury secretary, the man now running the IRS.

Just what we 'effing need in these circumstances -- a guy who cuts corners and doesn't think the rules apply to him. Great.; 1/26/09, 9:24 PM
Kev said...: I'm appalled by this decision. As someone whose income is partially derived from self-employment, I'm fully aware that I would be in prison if I did what Geithner did.

As one of the dissenting senators (I was driving and didn't catch his name; can't find it anywhere on Google yet) said, "Can't we find anyone better?"

I was also disappointed to see that one of my senators, John Cornyn, voted in favor of the nomination. I've never written to a member of Congress in my entire life until just a few minutes ago, but this is part of what I said to Cornyn:

"I'm sorry, but having some of who "forgot" to pay his taxes in charge of the IRS is like having a crack addict in charge of the DEA. This should have been a game-ender right then and there."

It's funny--Cornyn stood fast against Hillary's nomination last week, but seemed to go right for the rubber stamp when this criminal came up.

This arrogant crew will get their comeuppance. Always have, always will.

We can only hope (and also hope that they don't take the rest of the country down with them).

We have to get better people in government. There's no way these are the "best and brightest."; 1/26/09, 9:26 PM
TitusYouAreSoSuave said...: By the way my office has a small site in Middleton, Wisconsin and I am running an ad in the WSJ this Sunday. Look for it.

Great Benes and Comp and Incentive Stock.; 1/26/09, 9:27 PM
Curtiss said...: ...a guy who cuts corners and doesn't think the rules apply to him.

Well, I guess he's pretty sure about that by now.; 1/26/09, 9:28 PM
TitusYouAreSoSuave said...: It's so hard to find high level talent in Madison. I had the position posted all over the internet for 3 weeks and the quality was lousy.

What a different market you Madison folks have in compared to the east coast.

But I love it.; 1/26/09, 9:30 PM
Revenant said...: Since he was not legally required to pay those taxes, perhaps it is not proper to call him a tax cheat.

"Not automatically withheld" is not the same thing as "not legally required". If it was, nobody would ever have to write the IRS a check for anything.; 1/26/09, 9:40 PM
Joe said...: Since he was not legally required to pay those taxes...

Is Walmart out of tin foil hats?; 1/26/09, 9:42 PM
TitusYouAreSoSuave said...: And why is Madison market still using the Sunday paper to locate Jobs in the city. That is so 1992. But the Director out there says that is where the candidates look.; 1/26/09, 9:47 PM
Unknown said...: Even if I could buy the "I forgot" argument on the payroll taxes, which is troubling enough, I can't get past the fact that the guy deducted summer camp for his kids as a child care expense. Come on.

What really bothers me is the double-standard for how the IRS treats people with tax shortfalls. Most people get the crap kicked out of them if they owe back taxes, but for the well-connected, there is no penalty for cheating at all. There is no justification for that.; 1/26/09, 9:54 PM
JAL said...: Donna B says: Since he was not legally required to pay those taxes, perhaps it is not proper to call him a tax cheat.

You mean the ones that were past the statute of limitations?

He paid the other two years first when he was caught in an audit (IIRC). Only when he knew he was being looked at for Treasury did he pay the unpaid ones. And no fines? The fact that he didn't pay the taxes when they were due didn't grab your attention?

Have you even read about the whole deal? Or is that a regurge of MSNBC?

And to reiterate ... even if he was sent W-2s instead of 1099s he had to TYPE in the ZERO in the spot on TurboTax for "taxes withheld."

But look on the bright side -- maybe this is good ... at some point this administration is going to reach the infamous "critical mass."

Just hope they don't sink the ship first.; 1/26/09, 10:13 PM
David said...: The CPA's always say "try it and see if you are audited.

They do? Not in my experience.; 1/26/09, 10:19 PM
TitusYouAreSoSuave said...: I meant his hog was cut, he is definitely cut.

And did you see the fabulous wife/girlfriend behind him. Absolutely dreamy.

They have good sex. I vote him in on those qualities.; 1/26/09, 10:32 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Is Athouse trying to make nice w/ the PJ folks, after going public w/ her rejection of them?

When I want to read InstaP I know where to go. It seems like some recent posts here have been Insty rehashes.

And regarding the (Athouse expressed) fear of joining the PJ folks because that would force her to be a PJ team player, e.g. not being critical of JTP in Israel; isn't Balloon Juice (John Cole) w/ PJ? He was totally ridiculing JTP. So, it's not like they don't allow alternative views. Maybe Cole's deal is something different than being a full PJ person.

Anyway, seems like the posts to Insty could be more substantial. A brief statement and a link seems sparse, unoriginal, and uninteresting.

Maybe this is a way for Althouse to get Insty readers to come over to read her posts and possibly comment, since they can't comment at Insty.

P.S.

Thinking of PJ folks; do the Althouse alum know what she thinks about Malkin? Seems like Malkin never gets any Althouse attention. Sure Malkin is a bit over the top, but she's no worse than Rush, in fact she's sometimes more clever/funny, and it's obvious that Althouse is a Rush fan.; 1/26/09, 10:33 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Yes, this is decidedly un-funny and not at all like Steve Martin's two simple words that can extricate someone from trouble. Because when the judge says, "You've committed a foul crime and all you have to say is I forgot?" Two simple words. Excuuuuuuuse me.

But be of good cheer. This is the hopeychange the electorate, in its collective wisdom, voted for. Here's a little joke for you to lift your spirits. From our British friends today.

A man seeking to join an East Texas Sheriff's Department is being interviewed.
The Deputy doing the interview says: "Your qualifications all look good, but there is "an attitude suitability test" that you must take before you can be accepted."

Then, sliding a service pistol across the desk, he says:

"Take this pistol and go out and shoot six illegal aliens, six meth dealers, six Arab extremists, and a rabbit. "

"Why the rabbit?"

"Great attitude," says the Sergeant. "When can you start?"; 1/26/09, 11:03 PM
SteveR said...: If I recall correctly Ms. Althouse is not a big fan of Ms. Malkin and I assume, probaly pays no attention to her.; 1/26/09, 11:12 PM
SteveR said...: probably--aargh!; 1/26/09, 11:42 PM
Bender R said...: Cheating by political elites has real world consequences, and this will too.

Just like Bill Clinton's absurd defense of "oral sex is not sex" has been seeped into general society, so that all too many teenagers today actually believe that it is not really sex when Susie gives Tommy a blow job, just like Clinton's (again) constant and repeated twisting of words (that depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is) has led countless people in today's political arena to play word games so that language means absolutely nothing anymore, the approval of Geithner's knowing and intentional failure to pay taxes will be mirrored in the general population.

When the folks at the top don't follow the rules, why the hell should we? You can be sure that there will be more people than you can count who will now play fast and loose with their deductions, claiming an additional couple hundred here, an additional couple hundred there, none of which can be lawfully claimed or otherwise justified. (Besides, odds are that a few hundred here and there is unlikely to raise any IRS red flags.) All of which, in the aggregate, adds up to hundreds of millions, if not billions, in unjustified additional deductions, resulting in far less tax revenues. Make no mistake, this episode will lead to widespread tax cheating.; 1/27/09, 12:06 AM
From Inwood said...: I guess we all need a break from the amateurish Republican Culture of Corruption era, which is over. They won!

Donna B. Simply put, the Democrat Culture of Corruption Rule, which you follow, is that

(a) you're not a tax cheat until an audit reveals that you might be a cheat if you don’t pay up the amount you cheated the government out of, & you then make a late payment of the amount you cheated the government out of, plus fines & penalties, if any, in which case, you've been absolved ab initio of being a cheat, &

(b) even if you cheated the government at the time you filed your taxes, if the statutory period of limitations (generally three years) governing such cheating had expired, since the IRS won't notice, none dare call it cheating.

So let's move on; nothing to see.

Next, some Republicans will be saying that Tim & Charlie have been “shredding my tax law”, plagiarizing that word, which applies solely to BushHitler’s inexcusable treatment of my Constitution.

And Republicans had to pick on Tim’s poor children who were just enjoying themselves at sleep-away camp, for goodness sake. Have you no shame? Have you no sense of decency, sirs? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?; 1/27/09, 12:48 AM
OSweet said...: Tacit permission for everyone to cheat on taxes.; 1/27/09, 2:00 AM
Paco Wové said...: Is Athouse [sic] trying to make nice w/ the PJ folks, after going public w/ her rejection of them?

Is 1jpb transparently attempting to avoid the topic at hand?

And where is α-lib, explaining how this is all Bush's fault?

Or poor Michael, pleading for a pity blowjob?; 1/27/09, 6:59 AM
Brian Macker said...: "Since he was not legally required to pay those taxes..."

People who think like this have the vote, and we wonder why the government is being run by crooks, and the bailout plan by the people responsible for the crisis.

Sometimes a feel like Algernon in a cage amongst a bunch of brain gnawing mice. We truly are a bunch of hairless monkeys. It's a wonder civilization has reached the heights it has.; 1/27/09, 7:09 AM
DADvocate said...: Just proves that the only qualifications you need to be on Obama's cabinet are no qualifications at all. A bank teller would have been fired for Geithner's actions.; 1/27/09, 7:30 AM
John said...: "Blogger reader_iam said...
No family history of business (i.e. his parents weren't business people.)

That depends on what you mean. His maternal grandfather managed a furniture store, among other things, and his maternal grandmother became one of the first female bank vice-presidents in Hawaii. Surely by now it's well known that he was significantly raised by them, in conjunction with his mother. Isn't it?"

What? So now The One gets credit for business experience by genetics or osmosis? Is there no limit to the wonders of The One?; 1/27/09, 7:31 AM
MarkW said...: When the folks at the top don't follow the rules, why the hell should we?

Why? Oh, that's simple -- because Timothy Geithner is NY/Washington royalty and you are not. Because if you do what he did and are caught, the IRS will come down on you like a ton of bricks. And the IRS won't be any easier on you when Geithner is running the show than Eliot Spitzer was in prosecuting prostitution rings.; 1/27/09, 7:36 AM
George M. Spencer said...: reader.iam--

Point taken, perhaps.

My recollection is that Obama has acknowledged having an "arm's length" relationship with his Hawaii grandparents.

(This was somehow preferable to being with his mother. Whether she abandoned him or he wanted to flee her or both is unclear.)

He made a conscious decision to stop hanging out with his grandfather before he entered middle school, because the man enjoyed taking him to a red-light district to a dingy pool hall bar that had pornographic Disney cartoons on its walls, not mention those attending those creepy drunken bouts with the "poet."

As for his grandmother, she was unable to stop him from smoking lots of primo Maui wowie.

It would be interesting to hear some anecdotes about young Mr. Obama's trips to his grandmother's bank. He had to have learned something about finance at her knee. Maybe.; 1/27/09, 7:42 AM
Anonymous said...: "Tacit permission for everyone to cheat on their taxes."

No ... there's a difference between cheating on your taxes, and paying your tax.

Paying tax is voluntary. However, it is illegal to file an intentionally incorrect tax return.

So, do file your return. Just don't pay your tax, since that's always been voluntary.

You are required to report. You are required to file.

You are not required to pay.

So ... don't.

(If your employer is withholding, you should read carefully the your W2 form. You can claim as many exemptions as you want to eliminate withholding.); 1/27/09, 8:24 AM
Deirdre Mundy said...: re: Althouse and Malkin

I always assumed she didn't link to Malkin's columns b/c the website is slow to load and hard to read!

That's why *I* don't read her stuff, at least....; 1/27/09, 8:29 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: You are required to report. You are required to file.

You are not required to pay.

That's all well and good until the IRS comes and puts a lien on your house.; 1/27/09, 9:33 AM
reader_iam said...: What? So now The One gets credit for business experience by genetics or osmosis? Is there no limit to the wonders of The One?

No, John, that's not at all what I wrote. I was responding very specifically to a very specific comment made by someone else who brought the topic up, in the context of Obama's family not having business experience and thus Obama having not been exposed to family who did. I even quoted what I was responding to, for crying out loud. Mine was a response of factual perspective, NOT OPINION.

Is it me, or are reading skills getting worse?; 1/27/09, 9:54 AM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Florida, as Wesley Snipes how that worked out for him.; 1/27/09, 10:28 AM
From Inwood said...: Florida

"Paying tax is voluntary."

You're shredding my Constitution!

"(If your employer is withholding, you should read carefully the your W2 form. You can claim as many exemptions as you want to eliminate withholding."

I think you're referring to Form W-4. I suggest that you read the Form's preprinted, you know, stuff rather than some Urban Legend. Perhaps you will say that you could always try to take refuge in one of the Geithner defenses, but as the commercial would have it: don't try this at home. LOL (Lots of Luck & Laugh out Loud)!; 1/27/09, 1:20 PM
Anonymous said...: All,

Wesley Snipes did not file returns, which is illegal.

You must file a correct return. You must declare all your income.

You may voluntarily not pay tax.

Your employer is required to withhold the amount you tell your employer to on your W-4 form. You can claim enough deductions, legally, on your W-4 form, so that no money is withheld from your check.

We have voluntary tax payment system in the United States. You are not required to pay tax.

If you do not pay, the government will levy interest and penalties. Notice what they will not do. They will not arrest you, or otherwise molest you. Because tax payment is voluntary.

If you own a home, that's stupid of course, because the government can legally file a claim on any assets you might have. Renters, of course, do not face that prospect.

Keep your assets in cash, file your return. Declare all your income and then you too can choose, like I do, whether you want to pay the voluntary tax or not.

I have chosen not to.; 1/27/09, 2:36 PM
Synova said...: We got our taxes done on Saturday.

... made a "can we not, and just say "oops", joke...

The CPA thought it was funny. ;-); 1/27/09, 3:19 PM
BJM said...: 1jpb said... Is Athouse trying to make nice w/ the PJ folks, after going public w/ her rejection of them?

When I want to read InstaP I know where to go. It seems like some recent posts here have been Insty rehashes.

Althouse is certainly more than capable of defending herself and does not require me to do so, however may ask a question?

What is your point? Shouldn't you address your dislike of Reynolds and his blog/opinions/linkage with him?

Why do you come here if the host's opinions are troubling and the reader base so discordant with your core beliefs?

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying you shouldn't or haven't the right to comment. I'm just curious why you bother to interact with those you despise?

Your ad hominem arguments and tired rhetoric defeat any chance of persuasion, so what is it you seek from those of us with whom you disagree?

Just curious.; 1/27/09, 4:41 PM
fatboyjohn said...: Anyone ready to practice the 2nd ammendmant yet?; 2/2/09, 2:32 PM
fatboyjohn said...: He isn't ripping off the government he is ripping off the country.; 2/2/09, 2:33 PM