Daschle: Delinquent Personal Taxes [MERGED]

[NickCole]

Daschle's a Tax Cheat Too

Daschle Owed Back Taxes That Exceeded $128,000

Former Senator Paid Days Before First Confirmation Hearing

Thomas A. Daschle, nominated to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, did not pay more than $128,000 in taxes over three years, a revelation that poses a potential obstacle to his Senate confirmation.

The back taxes, along with $12,000 in interest and penalties, involved unreported consulting fees, questionable charitable contributions, and a car and driver provided by a private equity firm run by entrepreneur and longtime Democratic Party donor Leo J. Hindery Jr., according to a confidential draft report prepared by Senate Finance Committee staff. ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003793.html

Will Obama defend Daschle the way he defended his other tax dodger appointee? Or toss him under the bus?

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Being aware that you owe taxes on the free use of a car isn't common. It may just be that he had someone check his records, and it caught him by surprise.

I borrowed some equipment for a job I did once, and didn't find out until the next year that it counted as "income" -- and I only caught that because Turbo tax caught it retroactively.

Perhaps, but someone like Tommy D who has operated at the highest levels of Government for years is expected to be aware of such things, or to have advisors who are.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

It gets crazy.

If I borrow a truck, it counts as income, but I get to take mileage or gas.
If I rent a truck, that's an expense, and I still get to take mileage.
So if I have to do something like that in the future, and know where to borrow one, I "rent" it for dirt....

Better check with your tax accountant.
You can only take mileage if you actually own the vehicle, if you borrow or rent it you only get actual out of pocket operating costs plus the rental cost (if any).

Unless, of course, the rules have changed in the past 7 years.

 

[NickCole]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Here we go again.

Obama supporters defending someone who doesn't deserve it, to protect their Dear Leader.



We are responsible for paying taxes on cash, goods and services received in compensation for our "work" (I put that in quotes because it's not clear what "work" Daschle did in exchange for that car and driver). It's our responsibility to know that. Ignorance of the law is not a legitimate defense. Either Daschle knew he was supposed to pay those taxes and cheated or he didn't know something it's his responsibility to know -- either way he's not suitable for the important position Obama has appointed him to.

Daschle paid three years of back taxes 6 days before his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. More than $128,000 in back taxes; that's substantial. And there's apparently more:

He is considering amending his tax returns a second time because he did not pay Medicare taxes on the additional taxable income he incurred related to his use of the Cadillac. Finance panel staff members found that lapse.

That Daschle only paid those taxes 6 days before his confirmation hearing makes it pretty obvious he only paid them because Obama nominated him to a visable high-ranking position in the Executive Branch and the vetting process discovered it.

A White House aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Daschle's tax problems were "discovered during the vetting process, and the Obama team became aware of it as Senator Daschle prepared to submit his nomination papers."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003793.html

Obama knew about Daschle's tax "problem," and yet didn't withdraw his nomination or make this public. That speaks volumes about Obama's promises about ethics and transparency.

 

[NickCole]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

The other thing that's stinky about this is the big money Daschle suddenly started raking in after he lost his Senate seat, and the sources he earned it from.

In addition to earning $2.1 million from the law firm Alston & Bird, the former three-term senator has also been on the payroll of Hindery's private equity firm, InterMedia Advisors, since he left the Senate in 2005, earning $1 million per year, according to documents filed with the Office of Government Ethics. ...

The central issue for Daschle hinges on what has been an obscure -- but financially rewarding -- aspect of his post-Senate life: his role as chairman of the advisory board of Hindery's InterMedia Advisors.

Daschle and two other former senators -- Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) and Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) -- headed the board and were rewarded handsomely for the investments InterMedia made in small niche media corporations.

Founded as InterMedia Partners, the New York-based firm was recast in March 2005 when Daschle was brought in as an investor and head of the advisory board. That group consists of other major Democratic figures, including Cappy R. McGarr, who runs a Dallas investment firm and served as Daschle's political treasurer, and Bernard L. Schwartz, a former chief executive of Loral Corp. and a major Democratic donor.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003793.html

Is this legal? Sure.

Is it the kind of choice we expect from people appointed by the Change Candidate who promised a more ethical and transparent government? I don't think so. Our character informs our choices, and the nature of our choices tend to be consistent.

Daschle's wife, Linda, was a highly paid (millions) lobbyist while Daschle was a Senator and Majority or Minority Leader. They said it was okay because Linda lobbied in the House, but her lobbying income was part of what Senator Daschle lived on.

Again, is all this legal? Sure. But whether or not these kinds of choices are in line with the ethics promised and expected from the Change Candidate is another story.

 

[naked gent]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Is this legal? Sure.

Is it the kind of choice we expect from people appointed by the Change Candidate who promised a more ethical and transparent government? I don't think so. Our character informs our choices, and the nature of our choices tend to be consistent.

Daschle's wife, Linda, was a highly paid (millions) lobbyist while Daschle was a Senator and Majority or Minority Leader. They said it was okay because Linda lobbied in the House, but her lobbying income was part of what Senator Daschle lived on.

Again, is all this legal? Sure. But whether or not these kinds of choices are in line with the ethics promised and expected from the Change Candidate is another story.

I mostly agree with you Nick and would add Mrs. Clinton's name to the list of cabinet members who should be tossed.

I don't see the need to possibly muddy our foreign policy waters with the inevitable appearance of impropriety when the SoS's hubby is raking in the money from foreign countries.

As you say 'is it legal' sure but is this what we should have expected from our 'change candidate'?

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Uh huh. Proof?

When you say things like that, you reveal yourself to be:

a) totally ignorant of what's been happening for the past eight years;
b) blindly partisan;
or
c) totally disingenuous.

 

[naked gent]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

^^I couldn't help but notice Henry that in the thread about the GOP not supporting Obama's economic plan you asked Kulindahr for proof concerning his claim about missing millions in Iraq so I gotta ask you here which are you being:

a) totally ignorant of what's been happening for the past eight years;
b) blindly partisan;
or
c) totally disingenuous.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

^^I couldn't help but notice Henry that in the thread about the GOP not supporting Obama's economic plan you asked Kulindahr for proof concerning his claim about missing millions in Iraq so I gotta ask you here which are you being:

Kulindahr was attempting to support his claim that Cheney had stolen money.
I asked for proof, which he has so far failed to provide.

 

[Jack Springer]

Re: Daschle's a Tax Cheat Too

He'll be confirmed -- because he's a former member of the exclusive Senate club plus he's a Dem (double standard exception).

I'm happy that Obama has a bunch of crooks in his cabinet. This is change we can believe in.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

A Republican says this with a straight face in 2009?

I hate to disappoint you, but I am not now, nor have I ever been a Republican.
That is a matter of record.

I have been, on those rare occasions when they got something right, a GOP supporter.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Oh you misunderstand. It's not possible to criticize both sides. You HAVE to be one or the other. So saith CE&P!

Nobody "has" to be, or for that matter do, anything. There is little, if anything, to admire in the GOP as it has existed for some years now, and even less to admire in the Democrats. Both parties have been co-opted by a lunatic fringe. Maybe it's time for a third party to rise to power.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

No, it's more like: d) not living in fantasy land.

So, you admit that you're living a fantasy? Way to go.

 

[NW007]

Re: Daschle's a Tax Cheat Too

Perhaps the slogan of "change" really means:

Cheat until you get Caught !!

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

You can't read. That is obviously not what I am saying. .

It may not have been what you meant, but it was clearly what you wrote.

 

[Glafna]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Obama supporters defending someone who doesn't deserve it, to protect their Dear Leader.

Wasn't defending him, was pointing out that since he actually did pay his taxes(albeit eventually), justapixels original post was wrong.

I think you should pay your taxes on time, and if these things come up, then deal with it as soon as possible. I honestly don't know much about filing tax returns and all that shit, got me an accountant cousin who does family for free, otherwise would cost you an arm and a leg(although he is extremely good at what he does)

 

[jJoEd77]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

Wasn't defending him, was pointing out that since he actually did pay his taxes(albeit eventually), justapixels original post was wrong.

Congratulations, you win on technicality....

The broader point though still stands; Democrats can't be trusted, at least not anymore than those of the Bush administration. You know what, I don't think I'm going to pay taxes this year. Yeah, that sounds good. Because apparently it's ok to do so. Maybe I'll pay though in 2 or 3 years, we'll see....

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

OK. So enlighten me. You don't have to be a pug or a Democrat. But tell me what your general political ideals are. If I'm not mistaken, you generally defend Bush on just about anything. But maybe that was someone else I have you confused with?

You are very confused.

I have said repeatedly that Bush only did two good things, and he fucked up both of them. The invasion of Iraq was a good thing, handled badly. The tax cuts were a good thing, but he failed to make them permanent.

He failed to secure our Southern border, which was a colossal failure.

I believe in minimal government. The less the better.
I believe that people are responsible for their own actions and should not look to the government for help.

 

[techboywi]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

I believe in minimal government. The less the better.
I believe that people are responsible for their own actions and should not look to the government for help.

And we've seen how well that has worked... Its the lack of regulation that has in part lead to the financial mess we are in

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Obama chooses another tax cheat for cabinet

And we've seen how well that has worked... Its the lack of regulation that has in part lead to the financial mess we are in

Bovine Excreta. The mortgage crisis occurred because of government intervention. Certain lawmakers decided that more people ought to own homes, and set out to make it possible - never mind that the target audience did not qualify.

Lack of regulation had little or nothing to do with the problem.
Banks were threatened by government - told that if they didn't make more loans in certain neighborhoods they would be accused of 'redlining.'