More tax woes in the Obama cabinet
The Dallas Morning News reports that another Obama cabinet appointee has been negligent in paying all of his taxes.
Ron Kirk, the former Dallas mayor who was nominated to be the U.S. trade representative in the Obama administration, failed to pay taxes on income from speeches (he donated the speaking fees to his alma mater, Austin College) and deducting too much for season tickets to the Dallas Mavericks (considered a business entertainment expense). He owes about $9,975 for unpaid taxes over three years.
Max Baucus, chairman of the the Senate Finance Committee which has scheduled a hearing on Kirk’s nomination for March 9, said Kirk probably will be approved.
The Obama administration has been hit hard with tax issues. Tom Daschle, Obama’s first nominee for Health and Human Services, dropped out of consideration after it was discovered that he owed more than $100,000 in back taxes. And Tim Geithner, Obama’s Treasury secretary, owed about $30,000. He was confirmed despite the tax problems (the pd editorial page called for him to step aside; alas, he didn’t listen). Nancy Killefer stepped aside from consideration after it was discovered that she owed $1,000. She had been nominated for chief performance officer. And Labor Secretary Hilda Solis’ husband had tax liens filed against his business.
Do politicians routinely shirk their civic responsibility to pay their taxes — in full?
Jamie Riley is the P-D letters editor and gatekeeper of the letters blog. Before joining the editorial page in May 2005, she was a reporter and page designer. Jamie lives in University City with her husband, Charles, daughter, Elise, and the world's best Jack Russell terrier, Logan, better known as Stinky. 
I had originally planned a deathbed conversion in my party registration so the world would suffer one less Democrat but being excused from paying the steep taxes they levy on others makes an earlier conversion more attractive.
I’m sure he had a good excuse. Of course he will be confirmed. The rules do not apply to Democrats.
Obama came from the cesspool of corrupt politics in Illinois. One can’t expect any better from his nominees.
Folks, this Bozo Obama runs around with so many tax cheats, I think it is time we look at his returns. Lord know, America never looked at his qualifications. We missed his taxes too. Any wonder why he calls welfare checks,”tax cuts”, and tax increases “savings”. Obama is a Chicago Lib. He makes up rules as he goes, and they apply to others, not him and his buddies.
Yes, Jamie. I think we all now know that this Obama crowd is a bunch of tax cheats………….now you know. Will that change your editorial stance?
> Will that change your editorial stance?
Of course not. Outright corruption didn’t change their stance on Blagojevich, so why would something minor like this?
Most of us realize that it will take an over-haul of most our politicians by replacing them if we truly desire honorable and or truly responsible ones.
Politicians think they are above the law. Anybody who abuses any tax laws should not be appointed to Federal Office. Indeed, the person should be prosecuted….to the full extent of the law.
Jamie - are you feeling okay? You are dissing one of your own? That is a Democrat rarity. I doubt the FP will report this although they claim to be objective. They didn’t report that Rahm Emanual is also a tax cheat along with ethics charges against Obama’s urban czar also:
http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2009/03/obamas-new-urban-czar-lines-his-pockets.html
Then we have Gov. Sebelius who bankrupted Kansas heading HHS, Jeffrey Immmelt has ruined GE who sits on Obama’s economic advisory group, not to mention all the appointments of Citigroup and Freddie Mac directors. It just goes on and on.
Has anyone checked out O-BLAME-A’s taxes???????????