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President Obama’s choice for secretary of the treasury is a boon for us taxpayers. This notable tax cheat establishes a new era in accounting and two new tools for us all — the GC (Geithner Constant) and your personal GGP (gross Geithner percentage).
Here’s the way it works: Divide the amount you owe in taxes by the GC — $35,000, the amount the tax cheat wouldn’t pay. This will give you a percentage by which you, following the example of our secretary of the treasury, Tim “Turbo” Geithner, can lower your tax liability.
For example: My total tax bill for 2008 is $9,100. Dividing this amount by the GC produces my GGP of 26 percent. I simply apply this percentage to my tax liability (26 percent of $9,100), and put that amount in my pocket. The remainder, of course, I send in to the IRS, payable to “United States Treasury,” of which “Turbo” is the newly nominated secretary. I save $2,366.00 in this one nomination alone.
If this strikes you as a joke, consider the joke of nominating “Turbo” in the first place, instead of putting him in jail.
I’m laughing all the way to the audit.
MERLE MILLER
Grand Junction
39 Responses to “Geithner nomination will be a boon for taxpayers”
Posted January 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Hey Merle, change you can believe in for sure! So much for an economic stimulus package as well, it’s now a social stimulus package with all the payoffs and worthless pork attached. Now I can relax and wait a few years to pay my taxes without being arrested. Geithner and Obama have set the bar lower for us all, great examples of true leadership.
Posted January 31st, 2009 at 11:33 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh and don’t forget Tom Daschle, who Obama wants for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. His tax bill is even higher than Geithner. And of course just like Geithner, amended their taxes after the announcements of their nominations.
Posted January 31st, 2009 at 1:09 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
The point is, morality is learned. It is nothing more than an attempt to elevate man-kind above his base instincts. While the Obama administration continues to reward (on a selective basis) lawbreaking and deceitfulness, he continues to erode the foundations of American morality. In fairness, he is not alone. His actions are simply a manifestation, a symptom, if you will, of the quest for power. We have an abundance of powerful people while there is indeed a shortage of moral leadership. The message has become, don’t do as I do, do as I say do. What is overlooked is the cost in credibility and the American people have chosen the option; no money down and we will bill you later, as long as that option is accompanied by the declaration that your check is in the mail.
One fact is certain, we have the best government money can buy. Thank God we are not getting all the government we pay for.
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 6:02 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
It is very odd to me that none of our friends from left leaning ideology are commenting about this letter. Maybe there is hope that they believe it was wrong to appoint Geithner to this post due to his criminal actions regarding his unpaid taxes. Maybe their silence is confirmation of this though they will not come right out and say it. We can now add Daschle into this mess as well. It’s funny that Geithner and Daschle decided to admidt to their “mistakes” after they were caught and paid the money back. Average citizens go to jail for such “mistakes”. The left is still not giving up on prosecuting Bush for war crimes. Where is the cry from the left to have these two clowns arrested and prosecuted? Oh right, I have to remind myself yet again they fall under a whole set of other laws and rules that don’t apply to you and I. How convenient the legal words will be if not all ready used by Geithner and Daschle, “oversight”,”mistake”, “carless”, “forgot”. I will say it again - change you can believe in for sure!
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 8:30 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
The moral majority, right wing, Republicans just live in a very exposed glass house. Read the 9/11 Commission Report, Read Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Reread the story of Valorie Plame, Joe Wilson and Gitmo and the recent reports from lawyers returning with their story of innocent people we torture and hold without valid charges. You are seriously going to hold Democrats the evil?
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I’m not going to defend Daschle and Geithner…
I am not sure ‘average citizens go to jail for such mistakes’ however. I think in general the IRS wants the money–if a tax cheat pays with penalty and interest they are generally not jailed.
War crimes and cheating on taxes are not really comparable…in this case, being not a prosecutor, judge or jury I don’t say that either intentional tax cheating or war crimes happened. I have my opinions about both, but think that the system should investigate and decide–on both sets of charges.
I just wanted to say these things so you all didn’t feel lonely here, without your ‘friends from the left.’
From the left,
Oliver
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 8:56 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I think we now understand why Democrats like raising taxes. They figure only Republicans will pay the higher taxes. Democrats will just defer their own tax obligations.
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Bullish,
I am certain that there has never been a Republican tax-evader, so enjoy the moment.
Compared to the wholesale corruption of Bushco, Inc., I am not concerned about the level of wrongdoing here. If either or both of these men do not get the job, so what? If they cheated on their taxes, they deserve to pay a price. What that price is, is up to the Congress. There are many qualified candidates for both jobs.
To me, it isn’t a big issue. But, those on the right have very few straws to grasp at this point. So, grasp at whatever you can find…and keep smiling!
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oliver,
Good points. I know the tax cheating and war crimes are different. To me it is the premise of a whole bigger issue. There is no accountability for either side it seems at times, that is the point I am trying to make. The one I can’t reconcile with for sure is putting a guy in charge of the IRS who cheated on his taxes. It blatantly appears as cheating to me especially when he didn’t reveal it until he was called on the carpet about it. It’s like your boss breaking the law and getting away with it when you as his employee get fired by the boss for the same issue. How can you ever respect that? Thanks for contributing, we were feeling lonely here on this one.
Bullish great point.
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dc,
You know the funny thing I see here most is all is the quibbling over what the right or left is doing or have done those angers us. We should try to focus all of our energy on a grass roots campaign to clean out our government of all the waste. As long as we direct our attention to one another instead of the issues and try to do something about it, we will forever be fighting and the government will still have us by the (I can’t say it here). Thus far we allow them to get away with it. I am hopeful that one day all over all of our disagreements and discourse we will find common ground to do the right thing. As I have stated before here in another post a while back that I am a fierce independent and anti-federalist. When I see something wrong on the right or the left I call it. Like the $4700.00 raise congress gave themselves this year while the rest of us are getting fleeced, shame all of them, left and right! Why do we let them wipe our nose when they don’t even know how to wipe their own? I don’t want the government taking care of me. All I want the government to do is provide a defense for us and regulate where it needs to. Forget about the social welfare programs and taking over the banking system. To me this is moving in a very dangerous direction. I think that leads to generations of citizens who rely too much on the government when they should use their right to pursue happiness and get off the gravy train. Just my two cents worth.
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dc,
I do disagree with this point you made to some extent - “If they cheated on their taxes, they deserve to pay a price. What that price is, is up to the Congress.” If we leave it up to congress nothing will be ever be done. The time has gone too long to expect them to deal with anything. I think its up to the peole to flood their senator or congress person with email or what peaceful means to let them know how we feel and to tell them they wil held accountable. Maybe then they will get it through their thick skulls.
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
publiusco,
You may have ascertained from my writing that I am pretty liberal in most areas. I am, however a staunch supporter of the second amendment and I have a number of other views that continue to confound some of those who try to pigeonhole me into a neat political package. I have no problem with being an anomaly.
Don’t you find it interesting that “liberal” and “libertarian” have the same root word?
I am not, I repeat, not a supporter of the welfare state. I am a Democrat, but not a party hack. I have never lived on the public dole and I pray I never will (yes, I pray every day). I grew up in poverty and everything I have, I have earned. But, I also know that the promise of opportunity to succeed in this country is not evenly applied. I have no problem helping the disadvantaged.
I agree wholeheartedly with you about the need for moving away from the partisan crap that hurts us all. That said, I reserve the right to pester Republicans whenever the mood strikes me.
Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 12:24 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Actually, cheating on your taxes is not up to Congress, it is a violation of the law and is up to the courts to decide guilty or not and the penalty for such. For Congress to overlook this breaking of the law is not a responsible action by our elected officials and each and every one that has avoided paying their taxes for several years, should be prosecuted the same as any individual and they should forfeit their opportunity to serve in our government. This is all we need is to have law breakers trying to run our country and holding positions of authority. That’s like telling a thief to guard our money.
Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
So Obama says “he screwed up” when it came to Tom Daschle, but not Tim Geithner? What the heck is the difference, they’re both tax evaders. What a bunch of BS.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090204/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_failed_nominees
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 8:59 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I think if Tim Geithner had been up for confirmation AFTER we found out about the other two tax evaders, he would not have been confirmed either. Now it’s a done deal.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 9:24 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Hey Tasha,
Your indignity is a little over the top. I would be willing to bet that there are just as many tax-evaders with an R after their name as there are Democrats (Do you suppose Abramoff paid his fair share?). The fact is that Richardson, Daschle, and the woman(whose name escapes me) are NOT going to be in the presidents’ cabinet. Obama is not going to stubbornly fight to have his way. He has admitted that he made a mistake (how refreshing is that?) and will find others who have not had these problems.
I understand your need to attack Obama and I don’t begrudge you that pleasure, so have at it. But, at the same time, I hope you will recognize the significant difference between a man that admits his mistakes as soon as he realizes them and one who couldn’t admit them even after years of contemplation (I think you know who I am talking about).
In any event, enjoy your Obamabashing. I know how good it makes you feel.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 9:49 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
dc: “In any event, enjoy your Obamabashing. I know how good it makes you feel.”
You mean, dc, you know how good it feels to bash a President of the other party? I’m sure you are speaking of your own experience (lol).
Hey, we are only two weeks into this. I doubt you will hear calls for his impeachment before he puts in a full month in office.
The tables are now turned, my friend. It is now time for you to be on the defensive. Belive me, I know how that feels.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 10:35 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
bullish,
” The tables are now turned, my friend. It is now time for you to be on the defensive. Belive me, I know how that feels. ”
Not a very rational statement bullish. It betrays a polarized non objective thought process.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
And we just had eight years of liberal efforts to polarize the nation. You asked for it, you got it, and there is a lot more where that came from.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 11:35 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thank God. It’s about time.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 1:29 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
rm: “Not a very rational statement bullish. It betrays a polarized non objective thought process.”
I assume, rm, that this is an attempt at being funny. I assume that you are not suggesting that partisans on the left are less polarized, and more objective in their thought process, than partisans on the right.
I am making that assumption because past postings from you have been rational and intelligent.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 1:32 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dc,
You missed my whole point, took it as bashing and wander aimlessly.
Obama excuses one for not paying his taxes, but not the other. Makes no sense to me. And my point has nothing to do with whether he omits his mistakes or not. I do not excuse anyone for being a tax evader, even you if you were one. (NOT ACCUSING YOU OF BEING ONE EITHER)
Bush is no longer president, so bashing him means nothing now. I didn’t like him either, and I said that long ago.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh and BTW, Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination. Not the other way around.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
So in other words, Obama didn’t excuse either one.
Geithner passed the Senate confirmation hearing and was accepted, despite his tax issues. Thus it was the Senate that excused him, not Obama.
Daschle withdrew from the position before the hearings, so Obama didn’t excuse or not excuse him either.
What then did you mean when you said “Obama excuses one for not mpaying his taxes, but not the other”? As you said, Obama had nothing to do with either situation, except nominate them both.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 2:54 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
The typo in the quote from Tasha is mine. I was retyping what Tasha wrote rather than copy and paste. Why, I don’t know.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 2:59 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Scott, this just shows that you need to stop not being lazy… Laziness pays off.
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Scott: Geithner passed the Senate confirmation hearing and was accepted, despite his tax issues. Thus it was the Senate that excused him, not Obama.
It doesn’t matter either way, Obama still allowed Geithner to be part of his cabinet, knowing full well that the guy evaded his taxes. That’s what doesn’t make sense to me. He should not allow any of them at all, regardless who appointed them. And he was all for these people, until it was out in the open about their tax issues. And why did they get away with tax evading for so long? Pays to be a politician, now doesn’t it?
Posted February 4th, 2009 at 3:28 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
“It doesn’t matter either way,”
That was exactly my point.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
In case anyone missed the WH Press conf. yesterday -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/PressBriefing_2-3-09/
Some choice exerpts below…..
To begin, PR secretary Gibbs is speaking from the BO playbook about Daschle and Killefer.
(text in parens are mine)
GIBBS: “I think they both recognized that you can’t set an example of responsibility, but accept a different standard in who serves. They both decided and recognized that their nominations would distract from the important goals and the critical agenda that the President put forward.”
—- (Does BO recognize that too? Doubt it, ala Geithner nomination.)
GIBBS: “Each joined in an effort to change this country — in Senator Daschle’s case, to help more Americans get affordable health care, to get our economy moving again, to institute some fiscal responsibility and some fiscal discipline. The important work that the President does on those agenda items continues here today.”
——– (Now, THERE’S a fancy-footed distraction is I ever heard one!)
GIBBS cont. “They realized that that agenda and the President’s call for change was more important and did not want to be a distraction.”
———- (no kidding - as if a tax cheat as head of the IRS isn’t a distraction from BO’s call for “responsibility” as millions of Americans get ready to be “patriotic”, ala Biden, and actually PAY their taxes?)
Press conf cont.:
Q That doesn’t say who decided that this was the best move. And if I could just follow up quickly. Are there other nominees out there with tax problems that we don’t know about?
MR. GIBBS: The President is quite confident in the people that serve in this White House and serve in this administration; that we’ve put a standard of ethics and accountability that’s unseen and unmatched by any previous administration in our country’s history.
———- (Well, he got one thing right. So far, any standard of ethics is definitely unseen and the number of tax cheats nominated to high office is unmatched.)
Press conf cont.:
Q Are there other nominees with tax problems?
MR. GIBBS: The President is confident in the people he’s chosen to serve in government.
———— (Just another distracting, non-answer answer, non-denial denial)
Press conf cont.:
Q Robert, back on Daschle, you said a moment ago that both Daschle and Killefer realized there was a new standard of responsibility. How do you explain, then, sticking with Tim Geithner, who had some $34,000 in back taxes and standing behind him for Treasury Secretary — because Ms. Killefer had much less money in taxes that she owed.
MR. GIBBS: Well, Mr. Geithner has gone through a process, Ed, that — he’s gone through finance committee, he’s gone through the full Senate with bipartisan support and serves –
Q Serves in principle — not just process, but shouldn’t principle guide it or –
MR. GIBBS: Well, the process has guided Mr. Geithner to be the Secretary of Treasury of the United States of America, a position that he was approved for by the Senate with bipartisan support and serves in today.
———— (circular it’s-done-suck-it-up, pass-the-buck, non-answer answer)
Press conf cont.:
Q Robert, if loopholes and exceptions are built in for various appointees who have lobbied in the past, and if key appointees are shown to have had problems in terms of not having paid back-taxes, is there a risk that this administration, in its ethics practices, begins to look like every other that preceded it?
MR. GIBBS: No. I think if — I’ll be happy to provide you the names of the people that have already said that this administration has laid forward, in executive orders, the strongest ethics and accountability rules of any administration in the history of this country.
———— (O-kaaaaya. So WHAT? Actions speak louder than hearsay)
It sadly goes on, but you get the drift. It’s all just more of BO’s official campaign-speak of “deny, deny, deny — divert, divert, divert — ignore, ignore, ignore”. If this is the kind of “transparency and accountability” we can expect at White House PR conferences, Mr. Gibbs will be up for a daytime Emmy in no time. “As The Worm Squirms”
Tune in today for more rhetorical hide ‘n seek.
Of course, none of this should be a big surprise. Who can forget BO’s pledge of allegiance to the wrong Rev. Wright one day — oooops — under the bus the next. Oh well…. just an innocent (20 year) lapse in judging the character of his mentors. Or the politically expedient non-relationship with the “activist”, aka admitted homicidal-bomber, Ayers…
Somebody better tell Roget that “accountability” and “hypocrisy” are now synonyms.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 10:33 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dang, did Obama spank McCain all over the map or what? Smack down!
And boy oh boy, did the the GOP ever lose big all across this great land of ours. An electoral blood bath it was.
But fear not JMH–Mesa County will remain safely red for a while yet. Ineffectively red probably, but you’ll feel snug like a bug in a rug.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 11:40 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oliver, the election is over and it’s beside the point what color Mesa Cnty. is.
Can you provide an intelligent defense of BO’s hypocritical policies and questionable ethics?
If not, go gloat elsewhere.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I was glad that Daschle stepped down, and I found it wonderfully refreshing to have an adult in the oval office that can actually admit that he made a mistake.
Obama’s questionable ethics–now just questionable–pale in comparison to the last president’s administration, which is well-documented over 8 years.
My point is that as long as anti-Obama people keep screeching about these things as the economy tanks I believe that they will remain a shrinking minority party, but not in Mesa County.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oliver says, “Obama’s questionable ethics–now just questionable–pale in comparison to the last president’s administration, which is well-documented over 8 years.”
That’s not an intelligent defense. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Let’s stay in the Present with a capital NOW. Meanwhile, don’t forget that 58+ million people did NOT fall for the campaign promises of BO. To keep saying that a substantial minority opinion doesn’t matter, won’t make it true.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 12:59 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
As I said, I am glad Daschle stepped down and that we now have a president who is mature enough to admit when he made a mistake.
And, of course, past administration’s are relevant–history doesn’t start today, it looks at the past and considering history is in fact a legitimate lens through which to judge and understand the present.
Finally, I am not discounting minority opinion, just a) pointing out that it is likely to keep shrinking if all the minority party can do is attack and criticize, and b) the win was of nearly historic (there’s that word again) proportions. Obama didn’t just win, he won decisively. The GOP didn’t just lose–they got creamed.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 1:43 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Now there is a problem related to taxes with the nominee ofr Labor Secretary.
lol.
It is now becoming more apparent why Obama has already picked 3 Republicans for his cabinet. He may need a few more.
lol.
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
bullishfrog,
Nah, that was Rep. Hilda Solis’s husbands business tax problems. She had no idea he had tax liens, yeah right.
The problem with Hilda, (love that name) while co-sponsoring union bills, she was the board member of a pro-union grouped called “American Rights at Work”. This group was lobbying congress to pass the union bills. She is the treasure of the “ARAW” and did not reveal this on any House financial disclosure forms.
Now, that she has been nominated (by Obama to be secretary of labor), she had kept her involvement in the lobbying firm a secret.
Yes, all this and the others, “A Change to Believe In”. cough cough
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 3:07 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh and don’t forget about Obama’s CIA nominee Panetta
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378062602049003.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
Posted February 5th, 2009 at 5:52 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oliver says, “And, of course, past administration’s are relevant–history doesn’t start today, it looks at the past and considering history is in fact a legitimate lens through which to judge and understand the present.”
Not when it comes to morals, ethics or character. Applied to ethics (or lack thereof), what you’re saying is moral relativism at it’s finest. i.e. Just because today’s _____ (whatever) is “not as bad” as yesterday’s _____ (whatever), today’s _____ (whatever) is great. Maybe, maybe not. Whatever.
Oliver also says, “Finally, I am not discounting minority opinion, just a) pointing out that it is likely to keep shrinking if all the minority party can do is attack and criticize,….”
Key word IF.
Your own partisan-slip is showing if you perceive all suggestions and disagreements as worthless “attacks” or “criticisms”. Have you read any of the recommendations from the conservative side of the isle? Which ones don’t you like? Which ones, if any, do you consider worthwhile?
Fortunately, BO is at least a little more open-minded. ‘Tis good that he already nixed some of Pelosi’s pet projects. More nixing is needed. But, so far, the Senate’s “bi-partisanship” still hasn’t exceeded the “token compromise” threshold.
If a stimulus package is urgent, then it should only contain provisions that can immediately ease unemployment and actually stimulate the economy in the short run. Long term projects can at least wait til next month.
At least in my own personal economy, I first pay my mortgage and put food on the table. Then and only then do I set aside money for solar panels. Granted, enviro-friendly solar panels could save a lot in energy costs in the long run. But if I tie up too much money in solar panels, I might not be able to afford the house to put ‘em on. That’s called throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Posted March 26th, 2009 at 8:58 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
“We should try to focus all of our energy on a grass roots campaign to clean out our government of all the waste.”
Uh, wouldn’t that be voting? America blew it this election. Obama by his own admission didn’t read the bill he signed. Oops, he’s only the president after all, the guy we depend on to say “the buck stops here”. His slogan clearly is “the bucks start here, friends first”. I guess that’s “change” all right.
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