TW: I suspect Daschle will withdraw his nomination within the next 48 hours. I am not sure how he defends himself. I am very cynical with this stuff. As I have mentioned before I believe 90% of executives of all stripes politicians in both parties, CEOs etc. take liberties with expenses, taxes and financial matters generally that are abominable. In a way they should all fry, but then if they all fried who would be left- mainly mediocre, under qualified righteous do-gooders.
Is Daschle worse than many others not likely. But he is busted, is he worse than say Geithner in particular perhaps in form if not substance. I have the impression Geithner fessed up early while Daschle prevaricated, the delay can be the excuse to launch one but not the other.
Partly because he is such an insider and fellow cynical participant in the whole mess, Daschle would be a very strong person to lead reform of health care. But politically he is now too tainted.
From Economist:
"...has failed to pay all of his taxes. After leaving the Senate in 2005, Mr Daschle took up a friend's offer of a round-the-clock driver, a service for which, until this month, he owed $101,943 in taxes.
You have to mention those other two scofflaws to understand the politics of this. In a vacuum, Mr Daschle might be embarrassed but able to rely on his friendships in the Senate. In the current climate, he is feeding a Republican attack. Eric Cantor, the Republican whip in the House, has joked that Democrats like higher taxes because "they don't pay 'em!"
From Packer at New Yorker:
"...The fact that two men with much combined experience in the public sector didn’t pay what they owed the government suggests that, at their lofty income level, cheating is almost universal...For Obama, it’s especially important not to have a double standard. A lot of his influence in cleaning up the corruptions of the private sector will be rhetorical. To do what needs to be done with Wall Street, he’ll need all the moral authority he can muster. If he allows two tax cheats into his cabinet, he’s going to lose a portion of it before his Presidency is one month old."
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/georgepacker/2009/02/obama-and-hypoc.html
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2009/02/limousine_liberalism.cfm
8 comments:
Who the hell's doing these people's taxes? As a high level politician, wouldn’t rule 1 of C.Y.A. be, your taxes! Are there not accounting firms that specialize in not f-ing this up? I guess it's harder to get caught for tax evasion then it is to pull a Marion Barry type discretion, so maybe that's actually rule 1. But it really is ridiculous when you don’t abide by the specific laws you are meant to be focusing on in gov't. Hence, in principle, I think Geithner's issue was/is worse than Daschle's, given that the guy is now overseeing the IRS. That goes for you too, Spitzer. It wouldn't have been as bad (in my opinion) if you hadn't actually prosecuted people for engaging the very extracurriculars you participated in yourself. I guess my rule of thumb is, if politicians are going to break the law, don't be a hypocrite, break a law you have never enforced!
I completely agree - especially with respect to Spitzer. If you're going to be a crusader, you better make sure your own house is squeaky clean.
Regarding the non-payment of taxes that seems to be cropping up lately, I have the feeling that this is more a symptom of income level than career path. i.e. - our tax laws are so stacked in favor of the wealthy that people used to getting these tax breaks don't realize it when they are actually required to pay a tax on something.
And, as noted in the original post, payment of taxes is only one piece of the pie that the wealthy dip into - don't forget the expense accounts and perks that anyone in upper management regularly enjoys.
So yes, members of Congress should make sure that they are abiding by the laws of our country, especially as they are responsible for setting them. But don't assume that they are the only ones who aren't squeaky clean with respect to their taxes.
Anon 1,
I have no answer for the tax acct. question, I would think these folks would hire competent advisors for this stuff given the obvious risks. But I NEVER underestimate the hubris and arrogance of those in power.
Good call! Is The Deaniac still looking for a job? Bring back Howard!
am not sure why but there has not been much love between the Deanster and Obamacons
They need somone with strong Congressional experience (who pays their freakin taxes!!).
From: http://blog.beliefnet.com/cityofbrass/2009/01/dump-daschle---howard-dean-for.html
"What was Daschle's qualification for HHS, anyway? I am aware of his legislative record and policy expertise, but Daschle remains firmly within the old guard of the Democratic Party, the same generation as John Kerry (whose nomination for president didn't exactly light a fire under America's collective consciousness). It's great to have the grizzled voices of experience and senior expertise in the diplomatic sphere (which is why I applaud the choice of Holbrooke and Mitchell as envoys - under Secretary Clinton's direction). But in terms of executive leadership, we need new blood.
The argument for Howard Dean as Secretary of Health and Human Services is quite straightforward. He's a medical doctor, and has more executive experience than anyone else in Congress or the White House. In his six terms as Governor of Vermont he paid off the state's public debt, expanded health insurance for children, lowered taxes, signed civil unions into law, and delivered a balanced budget every year. And of course as Chairman of the DNC he implemented the 50-state strategy that gave Obama the foundation for victory.
The only reason Dean wasn't tapped for HHS outright? Rahm Emmanuel, who bitterly opposed the 50-state strategy that brought his new boss to victory. As I mentioned earlier, Dean's name was excluded from consideration quite early on, citing Dean's "partisan background" and lack of congressional experience. That argument is total nonsense - and applies far more to Daschle than it does to Dean anyway.
It's time to acknowledge that Howard Dean is the right choice for HHS.
the left wing of the Dems heart themselves some Howard big time but I am highly skeptical that he is the right guy
I think with health reform congressional knowledge trumps governor knowledge
a left winger will not get health reform done, Obama would do well to put a Republican in that role (which would mosdef roil the Kossack swamp)
yet another stinking dem partisan hypocrite turd down the toilet of history into the sewer...second flush!!
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